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Rev. GEORGE SCUDDER MOTT, D.D., 

I'RESENT PASTOR. 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



Presbyterian Church 

IN 

FLEMINGTON NEW JERSEY, 
FOR A CENTURY. 

WITH SKETCHES OF LOCAL MATTERS 
FOR TWO HUNDRED YEARS. 



..:< 



BY 

Rev. George S:'Mott, D.D., 

PASTOR OF THE CHURCH. 






New York, 

WILBUR B. KETCHAM. 
1894. 



L 







Vs.-' 



1 



(i;>!ia 



THE FIRST SETTLERS. 



AT the beginning of the i8th Century a steady and 
widening stream of emigration set in from Europe, 
the effects of which were apparent upon New Jersey. 
The main cause of it was the religious persecution, 
more or less severe, which prevailed in Great Britain 
and on the Continent of Europe. This fell with especial 
violence upon Presbyterians. The Test Act, in Great 
Britain, excluded them from all public offices, honors, 
and employments. The Schism Act, in 17 14, would have 
swept them out of existence, had not its operation been 
prevented by the death of Queen Anne. The result 
was that they began to leave Ireland by thousands. In 
the spring of 17 18 an Irish pastor wrote, "No less than 
six ministers have demitted their congregations, and 
great numbers of their people go with them." Also the 
rapacity and greed of landlords quickened the emigra- 
tion. " In two years after the Antrim eviction," says 
Froude, "30,000 Protestants left Ulster for a land where 
there was no legal robbery. Ships could not be found 
to carry the crowds who were eager to go." The revo- 
cation of the edict of Nantes drove 500,000 of the Protes- 
tants out of France, who fled to Switzerland, Germany, 
Holland, and England. Very many of these came, at 
the beginning of the century, to this country. Most of 
them were Presbyterians. Vast numbers of Germans 



4 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

came over. From 1 730-1 740 sixty-five vessels well 
filled with Germans arrived in Philadelphia. These 
were Lutherans and Presbyterians. The country rapidly 
filled up with Scotch, Irish, French, English, Dutch and 
Germans. They were persons of clear convictions, in- 
telligent, and brave. 

To these thronging emigrants, Hunterdon County 
presented unusual attractions. The climate was mild- 
less bleak than New England, not so hot as Virginia. 
Peaches, plums, and berries grew plentifully in the 
woods. This whole region was heavily wooded with 
oak, hickory, beech, and maple. These forests abounded 
with game. The streams were alive with fish ; and most 
delicious shad made annual visitations along the bor- 
ders. That fish was caught higher up the South Branch 
than Flemington, before mill dams obstructed the 
stream. The hauls of them in the Delaware have been 
enormous within the memory of old people. Also the 
Indians were peaceable and friendly. The Raritan was 
navigable up to the junction of the North and South 
Branches. In seasons of freshets the farmers conveyed 
their grain to New Brunswick in flat-bottomied boats. 
The Delaware also was navigable up to Trenton. So 
that immigrants coming to this county could have the 
advantage of navigation within a few miles of their 
lands. Also early in that same century the farming 
lands had been well occupied in Monmouth and Bur- 
lington Counties. Hence the passion to go on to the 
frontier was impelling the sons of the settlers to seek a 
home among the attractive hills of Hunterdon. And 
the county rapidly filled up from 1715-1730- 

A tribe of Indians living near the site of Hartsville, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 5 

Pa., had a path to and across the Delaware at Lambert- 
ville, and thence to Newark, by way of Mt. Airy, Ringoes 
and Reaville. The " Old York Road " was laid on the 
bed of that path, or rather this path became that road, 
for the road itself was never surveyed. In a deed for 
land at Ringoes, dated August 25th, 1726, this is de- 
scribed as " The King's Highway that is called the York 
Road." Another Indian trail came in from the north, 
through the valley at Clarksville, the gateway for all 
those tribes who threaded their w^ay down the great val- 
ley of the Wallkill, or crossed over from Pennsylvania at 
the forks of the Delaware. This Indian highway led 
down to the wigwams on the Assanpink. These roads 
crossed at Ringoes. So that, before there were permanent 
settlers, this region was traversed by those going to and 
fro, either for hunting or for prospecting. To such an 
extent land was purchased from the Indians that an 
Act of the General Assembly, in 1703, forbid it, without 
consent of the proprietors. Surveyors from West Jer- 
sey passed over these Indian paths so early as i688. 
The beauty of this hill country, the advantages of soil, 
climate, and productions, had become well known, so 
that many began to look with longing eyes upon this 
favored region, which was yet held by the Indians. In 
compliance with a request of the proprietors of West 
Jersey, the Council appointed a committee, consisting 
of John Wills, William Biddle, Jr., and John Reading to 
treat with the natives. This committee reported at a 
meeting of the Council held June 27th, 1703, that they 
had secured by purchase a tract of 150,000 acres from 
the two Indian chiefs, Himhammos and Coponnockus. 
This tract extended from the Raritan to the Delaware, 



6 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

and covered the present townships of Raritan, Delaware, 
East and West Amwell. Probably small sections of 
land had been secured already from the Indians by ad- 
venturous settlers. This purchase was apportioned 
among the proprietors according to the number of their 
shares ; and this was the beginning of a land specula- 
tion that lasted many years, until this whole region was 
occupied. Space will not permit me to enter into the 
details of the early settlements. Those who might be 
interested in such historical matter can consult, ''The 
First Century of Hunterdon County," which was a paper 
read by myself before the New Jersey Historical Society, 
January, 1878, and afterward published in pamphlet 
form. See also " History of Hunterdon and Somerset 
Counties," published in 1881. 

At Flemington the tracts of three proprietors touched: 
those of William Penn, Daniel Coxe, and Joseph Kir- 
bridge. Penn had one of 5000 acres, and Daniel Coxe 
one of 4170, which were surveyed by John Reading in 
1712. The dividing line ran from east to west, by the 
Soldiers' Monument, in front of the Presbyterian Church. 
A high stone just over the brook east of the South 
Branch Railroad is where this line touched the stream. 
South of this line belonged to Penn ; north of it to 
Coxe. Coxe's was commonly called the Mt. Carmel 
-tract, and the high hill on the top of which is Cherry- 
ville still bears the name of CcJxe's Hill. The old name 
of Klinesville was Mt. Carmel. In 1731, Coxe sold to 
William Johnston 210 acres. He came from Ireland. 
His son, Samuel, was a distinguished teacher and math- 
ematician. His son, Thomas Potts, was an eloquent and 
learned lawyer of New Jersey. He married a daughter 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 7 

of Robert Stockton. His portrait may now be seen 
over the judge's chair in the court-room at Flemington.* 
Other settlers, in and around the village, were Johannes 
Bursenbergh, John Philip Kase, Robert Burgess, William 
Norcross, John Hairling, George Alexander, Joseph 
Smith, James Farrar, Thomas Hunt, Dr. George Creed 
(of Dr. Creed nothing is known except that he was 
practising at Flemington in 1765), William Black Potter, 
Samuel Fleming, Thomas Lowrey, John Anderson, 
Gershom Lee. The first settlers were German, Irish, 
and English. 

In March, 1738, John Philip Kase came from Ger- 
many, and purchased from Penn a tract of land on 
which was built the first house in this neighborhood. 
The house stood on the east bank of Minebrook close 
to the road. There was then a group of Indians occu- 
pying the land back of Mullins Hill, to the left, just 
after entering the new road to Cherryville. Between 
Kase and the Indian chief a warm friendship existed. 
Indeed, he was very popular with all the Indians ; and 
they presented him with curious and useful articles, 
which were in the Kase family a long time. 

In 1756, Samuel Fleming purchased land. He 
brought with him from Ireland a boy, Thomas Lowrey, 
who afterwards married his daughter, Esther. Lowrey 
became the most prominent man in the village, and ac- 



* It has been claimed that this is the portrait of Judge Samuel 
Johnston, mentioned on p. 13 ; but Miss Margaret E. Hoyt, a 
descendant of Judge Johnston, writes : " I never heard any one of 
my family speak of the portrait in Flemington as that of Judge 
Samuel Johnston. I am inclined to believe Dr. Mott is right, and 
that it belongs to the family of Johnstons he mentions in his 
history. The date on it would also incline me to this belief." 



8 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

quired large property here, and in the county toward 
Milford. He was one of the founders of the Baptist 
Church in 1765, in Flemington, which was the first 
Baptist Church in Amwell township. He was a shrewd, 
sagacious man, who generally succeeded in his under- 
takings. He was a member from Hunterdon of the 
Provincial Congress in 1775. After the war, for 
several years, he was a member of the Legislature. Both 
Fleming, and Lowrey and his wife, were earnestly de- 
voted to the cause of the Revolution. The old house 
where Fleming lived, and the first erected in the village, 
is now standing. It is the second house on the north 
side of Academy Street. Fleming kept a tavern in it. 
As in time other houses were erected, the place was 
called Fleming's — so it is named in the old maps — and 
finally Flemington. Afterwards Samuel L. Southard 
purchased and occupied this house. 

The first burying ground was on the knoll back of 
the dwelling formerly occupied by Jediah Higgins. It 
was on Fleming's land. His first wife was buried there. 
Afterwards most of the bodies were removed to the old 
burying ground on the south side of Academy Street. 
This land afterward came into the possession of the 
Kase family, who were related to the Lowrey's. A stone 
now there bears this inscription : " Hester Lowrey, second 
daughter to Thomas and Hester Lowrey, departed this 
life on the 15th of April, 1777, aged 16 years, 7 months 
and I day." This maiden died on the eve of her mar- 
riage, and she was buried in her bridal robes. The first 
interment in this yard was the body of the Indian chief, 
who was the unswerving friend of John Philip Kase. 
This took place in the year 1750. The funeral was at 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 9 

sunset. He was buried in an upright position, with his 
weapons of war, pipes, blanket, etc. He was a tall, 
muscular man. There was a wild Indian religious 
dance about his grave, which tradition relates was con- 
tinued through the night. John Philip Kase was buried 
there in 1754. 

Freedom of religious belief sooner or later secures 
civil rights. And those who serve their church faithfully 
will be the first to make sacrifices for their country. 
Immediately after the battle of Lexington, Hunterdon 
County was in a glow of ardor for the defense of the 
rights of the Colonies. The character and antecedents 
of its people made it so. The Provincial Congress of 
New Jersey, in August, 1775, directed fifty-four Com- 
panies, each of sixty-four minute men, to be organized, 
allotting to each county a specific number. Hunterdon's 
quota was from twenty-five to fifty per cent, above the 
other counties. The members of this Congress from 
Hunterdon were, Samuel Tucker, John Mehelm, of New 
Germantown, John Hart and John Stout, of Hopewell, 
Jasper Smith and Thomas Lowrey, of Flemington, 
Charles Stewart and Daniel Hunt, of Bethlehem, Ralph 
Hart, Jacob Jennings, Richard Stevens and John Stevens, 
Jr., of Round Valley, Thomas Stout, Thomas Jones and 
John Bassett. 

Charles Stewart resided at Landsdown near Clinton. 
On his return home, he called a meeting at Abram 
Bonnel's Tavern, and a regiment of minute men was 
raised, probably the first in the State. He was a leading 
spirit in this movement, and rendered important ser- 
vices from the commencement of the struggle to its final 
triumph. Many distinguished loyalists were among his 



lO HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

friends, who made every effort to retain him on the King's 
side, but in vain. He was Colonel of the First Regi- 
ment of minute men in this State ; then Colonel of the 
regiment of the line. By commission from Congress, 
in 1776, he became one of Washington's Staff, as Com- 
missary General, which position he occupied until the 
close of the war. General Washington and his wife 
were frequently at his house. His granddaughter, Mrs. 
Bower, who, after the war, in Philadelphia, received 
marked attention from Mrs. Washington, relates the 
following, respecting the economy practised by Mrs. 
Washington: ''She ravelled a set of old satin chair 
covers, inherited by her. She had the material carded 
and spun, and, with the addition of cotton yarn, woven 
in alternate broad and narrow stripes, the broad being 
of white cotton and the narrow of crimson silk. Out of 
this fabric, she had two morning dresses made for her- 
self." 

After the war. General Stewart moved to Flemington^ 
v/here he occupied a house near the residence of John C. 
Hopewell, and owned a large farm which extended to 
Coxe's Hill. He held a leading position in his adopted 
State, and was her representative in the Congress of 
1784 and 1785. After much important public service, he 
died in Flemington, June 24th, 1800, aged seventy-one 
years. His grandson, Charles C. Stewart, son of Samuel 
Robert Stewart, was a man of fervent piety, refined cul- 
ture, of a deeply sympathetic nature, who devoted him- ' 
self to the spiritual interests of his fellows. He was 
born in Flemington in 1795. He graduated at Prince- 
ton College in 1815. He was a classmate of Dr. Charles 
Hodge, and of Alexander Wurts, who, for sixty-one years 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. II 

was an eminent lawyer of this town, and died February 
i6th, 1881, highly esteemed by all. Charles Stewart 
was converted in the great revival in Princeton during 
the winter of 1814-1815. He united with the Princeton 
Presbyterian Church, July 7th, 1815. He then wentto the 
law school at Litchfield, Conn. But soon he turned his 
attention to theology, and entered Princeton Theolog- 
ical Seminary from Vv^hich he graduated. After a serious 
pondering of the subject he felt it to be his duty to become 
a foreign missionary. In company with other mission- 
aries, he and his wife sailed November, 1822, from Nev/ 
Haven for the Sandwich Islands ; but failure of his 
wife's health compelled their return in 1825. He was 
appointed a Chaplain in the Navy in 1828, which posi- 
tion he retained until his death, although retired for 
several years. At his death he was the Senior Chaplain. 
His position enabled him to visit nearly all parts of the 
world, and furnished the material for several books, 
which were received with great favor, and passed 
through several editions both in this country and in 
England. On account of failing health he was retired 
in 1862. The next year the New York University con- 
ferred on him the degree of D.D. He died at Coopers- 
town, N. Y., in 1870, at the age of seventy-five, an<^ 
his remains lie in the beautiful cemetery that overlooks 
Lake Otsego, and not far from the monument to J. 
Fenimore Cooper. 

A son of Dr. Stewart, C. Seaforth Stewart, was 
graduated in the same class with General George B. 
McClelland at West Point. He served his country 
faithfully during the Civil War, being in charge, for the 
greater part of the war, of the Engineers' Department 



12 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

at Fortress Monroe, for which important post he was 
selected on account of his fitness. Aher the war, he 
was put in command of the United States Corps, at San 
Francisco. He is now retired, and lives at Cooperstown, 
N. Y. 

A daughter of General Charles Stewart, Martha, mar- 
ried in January, 1776, Robert Wilson who was born in 
Innishowen, Ireland, and emigrated to this country. He 
was a man of education, and engaged in business in 
Philadelphia. He acquired a large property near Hack- 
ettstown. When the war broke out he accompanied 
Washington to Cambridge. In consequence of fail- 
ing health he resigned, and returned to his New Jersey 
home. In 1777 he entered the service again as Assistant 
Commissary General under his father-in-law, General 
Stewart. Feeble health compelled him again to resign; 
and in 1779 he died at his Hackettstown home, aged 28, 
leaving his widow at the age of 2 i . Mrs. Wilson's father, 
after the surrender of Cornwallis, returned to his estate 
of 1000 acres, and she took charge of his house ; and 
then removed with him to Flemington. For fifteen 
years after his death she was the sole administratrix. 
After her father's death she took charge of her brother 
Samuel Robert Stewart's home, who lived just to the 
east of this church; and after his death, September 
15th, 1802, she assumed the care of his two sons. From 
the time she became the hea'd of her father's house to 
her death, March 15th, 1852, she led a life abounding in 
good works. From her early youth she was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church. In many respects she was 
one of the most remarkable women of her time. See 
Mrs. Ellis' "Women of the Revolution," vol. 2. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 1 3 

Her father's house, and her own residence were 
within a short distance of General Washington's head- 
quarters in Morristcwn, so that he was frequently a 
guest at the house. His relations with her father were 
intimate. Also from time to time, Generals Green, La 
Fayette, Wayne, Hamilton, Gates, and other officers of 
the army cam.e to her father's home. On one occasion 
she entertained General Washington and his wife and 
staff (between thirty and forty persons) for two days. 
Her gate on the public road bore this inscription in con- 
spicuous characters : ^^Hospitality within to all American 
officers^ and refreshment for their soldiers y 

Associated with General Stewart in his patriotic meas- 
ures and conspicuous, too, was Colonel Philip Johnston, 
whose sister was the wife of Stewart, whom she married 
in 1755. Philip was the oldest of seven children, and 
was born in 1741. His father, Judge Samuel Johnston, 
was a colonial magistrate thirty years before the Revo- 
lution. The family were from Scotland, and belonged 
to an ancient barony in Anandale. They were a war- 
like clan, and a great terror to the border thieves. He 
was one of the first settlers in Union (near Clinton). 
His mansion at Landsdown was erected at a time, when 
it was a wise precaution to be protected against the 
Indians. It was therefore constructed as a stronghold, 
with m.assive walls of stone and heavy portals. Civil 
and criminal cases were often tried before him, in its 
spacious hall. He was a gentleman of exalted virtue, 
and renowned for his hospitality, and unbounded be- 
nevolence. At one tim.e he had fourteen w^idows living 
on his land free of rent. 



T4 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

The feeling for and against Great Britain, at the be- 
ginning of the Revolution, was intense and bitter on 
both sides, in this county. Persons disaffected toward 
Congress, confederated, and proceeded to acts of open 
violence. But the combination v/as broken up by 
the prompt action of the Provincial Congress, which, 
July ist, 1776, ordered the colonels of the militia, in each 
county, to disarm those who refused to bear arms 
(Gordon's New Jersey, p. 195). Yet, as a whole, Hun- 
terdon County was strong for the war. In March, 1776, 
the Committee of Safety, of which Captain Mehelm and 
John Hart were members, resolved that three battalions 
of militia be draughted out of the militia of the State, 
for the help of New York. The quota of Hunterdon 
was four hundred and forty, which was just double that 
of any other county. Colonel Frelinghuysen, of Rari- 
tan, wrote to Governor Livingston, August 15th, 1777 : 
" I must not forget to congratulate your Excellency on 
the great loyalty of Hunterdon County." N. J. Rev. 
Cor. pp. 5, 95. 

In December, 1776, Washington w^as preparing to 
cross the Delaware and attack the British who were 
encamped at Trenton. As a part of the preparation. 
General Maxwell was directed to collect Durham boats 
high up the river, which were brought down to Coryell's 
Ferry (now Lambertville). The Durham boats were 
built originally for conveying pig iron from the old Dur- 
ham furnace, which was located in Pennsylvania, oppo- 
site Regelsville. They were rounded on the bottom 
like a batteau, and sharp at both ends, with a long 
handled rudder like that used on a raft. They drew 
very little water. When the wind was favorable a large 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 15 

sail was hoisted, otherwise they were poled. These 
boats when collected were hidden behind Malta Island, 
just below what is known as "The Mills," on the Penn- 
sylvania side. The island was densely wooded, so that 
the boats could not be seen by a reconnoitering party, 
as it looked down from the New Jersey heights. Cap- 
tain Gerhart, of Flemington, was one of the militia 
officers engaged in procuring the boats, and floating 
them down to Washington's Crossing. 

Cornwallis was informed of this undertaking, and 
sent a detachment to seize these boats, but they could 
not be found ; or, perhaps, the soldiers were afraid to 
cross the river in the face of batteries, which had been 
placed on the top of the hill at New Hope. Probably, 
while engaged in this search, the British learned that a 
supply of guns was stored in Flemington. A part of 
Cornwallis's army was then encamped near Pennington. 

At the opening of the Revolution, near this church, 
was a long, low frame building, beginning a few feet in 
front of the Steele's lawn-fence, and extending a few feet 
south of the north end of their dwelling. For many 
years it was a store, famous in all these parts. It 
afforded a market for wheat to a wide section of the 
county. In winter the roads crossing its front were 
filled with sleds. The store was kept by Thomas Lowrey, 
in connection with a mill on the site of John Rockafel- 
low's mill. A tavern then stood just in front of the 
church. In this storehouse a quantity of muskets was 
placed by the Continentals. 

The commander at Pennington suspected that 
Flemington was to be made a rendezvous, and 
that these muskets were held for the purpose of 



l6 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

arming the militia. To thwart this measure, he de- 
tailed Cornet Geary, with about twenty men, to seize 
the guns. The troops passed through Ringoes early 
in the morning of December 14th, 1776. Captain John 
Schenck, who was home on a visit, saw them ; and be- 
lieving that they would return that way, aroused the 
neighbors, and prepared for an attack. In what was 
then a small woods between Copper Hill and Larison's 
Corner, on the east side of the road, on the farm nov/ 
belonging to Mr. L. C. Case, he secreted his men. Ammu- 
nition was scarce, and tradition relates that the men and 
women moulded bullets that morning for the muskets. 
Meanwhile Cornet Geary had reached Flemington, 
where he found a man with a cart. He ordered the man 
to take his cart, and show the way to the storehouse. 
The chests, in which the guns were packed, were put into 
the cart, and the troops hastened away. Tradition relates 
that Geary saw a man on Mullins Hill, who was Colonel 
Lowrey, evidently reconnoitering ; and on inquiry was 
told that just beyond the hill a body of troops was en- 
camped. This was a military lie, but it had the effect to 
hasten Geary's departure. He soon found that these 
boxes impeded their progress too much for safety, so that 
when they reached Tattersall's Lane (which is now the 
road on the edge of the town that leads to Reaville) they 
concluded it was better to destroy the muskets, which 
they did, by breaking the stocks, and bending the bar- 
rels. When they reached the ambush, where Captain 
Schenck and his men were concealed, Schenck called 
out, " First line fire and fall back " ; again, '• Second line 
fire and fall back." Geary ordered his men to halt and 
return the fire. Almost at the first fire he was struck 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. I^ 

by a bullet in the forehead, and fell from his horse. 
His men turned and fled. Captain Schenck and his mert 
strippedthe body.takingthe hat(vvhichwas a high leather 
hat, with a plume), and coat and boots, and hastily buried 
the body, about two hundred yards east of the encounter. 
The grave was marked by two stones, and the owners of 
the land did not disturb the spot. It had been questioned 
for years whether the body had been removed, or was 
left in the grave. To decide this, a committee, ap- 
pointed by the Hunterdon County Historical Society, 
opened the grave in May, 1891. They found traces of 
clothing, parts of buttons, and of bones. The tops of 
four small silver buttons, which had evidently been 
the buttons on the Cornet's jacket, were found in 
such good preservation, that the letters Q. L. D. and the 
figure 16 were easily traced. Inquiry has shown that 
these mean, " The Queen's Light Dragoons, i6th Regi- 
ment." This was a famous regiment of the British army 
of that period. Also from the British army list of that 
time, it has been learned that General Howe promoted 
" Patrick Cannon, Commissary, to be Cornet in place of 
Francis Geary, killed December 14th, 1776." (lam in- 
debted to Eiias Vosseller, of Flemington, for these facts.) 
The Quakers, Presbyterians, and Baptists represented 
the religious faith of most of the emigrants to East and 
West Jersey. And this awakened an apprehension in 
the mind of Queen Anne, that the Dissenters would out- 
strip the Episcopal churches in her American Colonies. 
So she and her Councillors took measures to extend over 
her colonies the English Establishment, for which Dis- 
senters here would be taxed as in England. It was a 
project to sacrifice religious freedom to Episcopal ascen- 



l8 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

dency. In the line of this policy this instruction was sent 
to Lord Cornbury : " You shall take especial care that 
Almighty God be devoutly and duly served throughout 
your government ; the Book of Common Prayer, as by 
law established, read each Sunday and holy day; and 
the blessed Sacrament administered according to the 
rites of the Church of England." He was to see that 
churches already built be maintained, and new ones 
erected as need required. The whole province was 
placed under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Bishop 
of London, and the Governor was to give countenance 
and encouragement to the exercise of that jurisdiction. 
Thus the influence of royal favor was bestowed on that 
Church. Whether this might have resulted in changing 
the denominational character of the State was never 
tested, for the Governor rendered himself so ob- 
noxious, not only in New Jersey but also in New York, 
that he was removed in six years. The effect of these 
instructions was to plant Episcopal churches in several 
parts of the province, where, without this encourage- 
ment and aid, they would not have been established ; 
for example, in this county, at Amwell, Alexandria, and 
New Germantown. A writer belonging to the Episcopal 
Church, speaking of Amwell and Hopewell as early as 
1 718, regrets the presence of so many Dissenters in this 
part of the State. The Episcopal Church of Amwell, St. 
Andrew's, was situated near the present village of Rin- 
goes, where the old academy now is. It was in ex- 
istence as early as 1725. It was organized under a 
charter granted by the Crown, by a missionary of the 
"Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign 
Parts." Rev. Wm. Frazer, a man of superior character, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 1 9 

and who was beloved by the Presbyterians and Germans 
of that neighborhood, labored there from 176S until his 
death in 1795, with the exception of the period of the 
Revolutionary war. He was a loyalist, and was under 
appointment and pay by an English society. Hence he 
would not omit prayers for the royal family. Public 
sentiment demanded the closing of his church and the 
cessation of his ministry. But so prudent was his con- 
duct, and so Christian-like his character, that no sooner 
was peace declared, than he opened his church and re- 
sumed his ministry with general acceptance. In 1845 
the corporation was re-organized, and removed to Lam- 
bertville, where the succession is maintained in the St. 
Andrew's Church of that city. 

One obstacle to this attempt at Episcopal supremacy 
was not alone the resistance of the Dissenters, but it 
was contrary to a stipulation made by the original 
proprietors, Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, to 
whom the proprietary right of the soil had been con- 
veyed by the Duke of York, who had received it from 
Charles H. They prepared a constitution, which as- 
sured civil and religious rights to all settlers. In the 
Fundamental Constitutions of East Jersey, a.d., 1683, 
it is declared that persons, "Shall no way be molested 
or prejudged for their religious persuasions, and exer- 
cise in matters of faith and worship, nor be compelled 
to frequent and maintain any place of worship or minis- 
try whatsoever." In the Concessions and Agreements 
for West Jersey, it is declared, "As no man or number 
of men upon earth have power or authority to rule over 
man's conscience in religious matters — no person, or 
persons whatsoever, at any time or times hereafter, shall 



20 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

be anyways, upon any pretence whatsoever, called in 
question, or in the least punished or hurt in person, 
estate, or privilege, for the sake of his opinion, judg- 
ment, faith, or worship, towards God in matter of re- 
ligion." (Smith's History of New Jersey, pp. 271-272.) 
These were the attractions, material, civil, and re- 
ligious, which this favored district, between the Raritan 
and the Delaware* rivers, afforded to all settlers. Of the 
wholesale butcheries that followed the insurrection of 
Monmouth, Bancroft writes, " Is it strange that Scotch- 
Irish Presbyterians of virtue, education and courage 
hurried to East Jersey in such numbers, as to give to the 
rising commonwealth a character, which a century and 
a half has not effaced?" The more wealthy of these 
emigrants brought with them a great number of ser- 
vants ; and they transported whole families of poor 
laborers, whom they established on their lands, receiving 
in return half the produce. And thus it came to pass 
that no county in the State had so varied a population. 
There were the Huguenots, Hollanders, Germans, 
Scotch, Irish and English. And these had their re- 
ligious preferences. So that very early we find Quakers, 
Presbyterians, Lutherans, Reformed Dutch, Baptists, 
and Episcopalians. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 21 



PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN 
AMWELL VALLEY. 



THE history of the Presbyterian Church in this Am- 
well Valley may be said to begin with Governor 
John Reading. He and his descendants have rendered 
such valuable services to the establishment and growth 
of Presbyterianism, especially in our town and immediate 
neighborhood, as to deserve a somewhat detailed record 
of that familv. He was the most liberal contributor to 
the Old Amwell Church ; and one or more of his de- 
scendants were in the Board of Trustees of this congre- 
gation from its organization, until 1867 ; also during a 
half century they were represented in the Session. 

John Reading and Elizabeth his wife, the father and 
mother of the Governor, emigrated from England with 
their two children, John and Elsie. They were Quakers, 
and left their country on account of the persecution to 
which the Quakers were subjected. They settled in 
the town of Gloucester, N. J., previous to the year 
1683, as he was that year a member of the Council, 
meeting in Burlington. He was a landholder in and 
about Gloucester, of which town he was Recorder 
from 1693 to 1701, inclusive. He was one of the pro- 
prietors of West Jersey and a prominent member of the 
Council, being often appointed on important committees. 
He, with William Riddle, Jr., and John Mills, was sent 



22 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

to purchase, in 1703, the great tract of one hundred and 
fifty thousand acres, between the Raritan and Delaware. 
He was a surveyor, and was appointed one of the com- 
missioners, to define the boundary line between New 
York and New Jersey, in 17 19. He removed to his tract 
of land above Lambertville about 1703, and was the 
first prominent settler in Amwell Valley. He died there, 
and was buried in the ground of the Buckingham Meet- 
ing House in Buck's County, Pa. 

John, the son, was born June 6th, 1686, and died No- 
vember 7th, 1767. He and his sister, when children, were 
taken to England by their mother to be educated. She 
remained with them nine years, attending to their edu- 
cation, the father living in this country. On the return 
of the son, it was found that he had embraced the doc- 
trines of the Presbyterians, to which he was ardently 
attached all his life ; and so his descendants have con- 
tinued. He married Mary Ryerson, a sister of Colonel 
P. Ryerson, then in the British service. He succeeded to 
the greater part of his father's estate, and followed his 
father's occupation. From 17 12 to 17 15 he surveyed 
tracts for parties in Burlington, who were locating lands 
through the Amwell Valley, under the grants of the 
dividend of 1703. At the same time, with an eye to a 
valuable purchase, which a surveyor would be supposed 
to have, he secured for himself six hundred acres along 
the South Branch, two miles from Flemington, where 
afterwards, on a beautiful site, he built the Reading 
homestead, now owned by Philip Brown. He is said to 
have planted the walnut trees growing there. He 
owned three mill properties, and the land east and west 
of his residence for half a mile. He was a member of 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 23 

"His Majesty's Council," from 1728 to death, and Vice- 
President for ten or twelve years. On the death of 
Governor Hamilton, in 1747, the government devolved 
on him until the arrival of Governor Belcher, with whom 
he had the most friendly and intimate connection. He 
was one of the first Trustees of Princeton College. His 
name is at the head of the list in 1748. On the death of 
Governor Belcher, in August, 1757, he succeeded a 
second time to the administration, in which he continued 
until June, 1758, when he w'as superseded by the arrival 
of Governor Bernard. His influence, and services, and 
money were freely bestowed to lay the foundation of 
religious privileges, educational advantages, and na- 
tional freedom, upon which we are now building. At 
the ripe age of eighty-one his long, useful and honored 
career ended, amid the quiet of that beautiful spot, 
which, under his cultivation, had emerged from a forest 
into a garden. The first Amwell Church has two com- 
munion cups, heavy, of hammered silver, costly in their 
day, and still in use, given by Governor Reading. They 
bear this inscription : " A gift of the Honorable John 
Reading, Esq., deceased, to the Eastern Presbyterian 
Congregation in Amwell, 1767." 

He had a large family of seven sons and three 
daughters. Five of the sons settled near him, and per- 
petuated the moral and religious influences of their 
sire. They w^ere prominent in church matters, and took 
a lively interest in the Revolutionary struggle. The 
youngest son, Thomas, was Captain of the 6th Company 
of the 3d Battalion of the Jersey Brigade, who were 
mustered in during February, 1774. He served until 
the Battalion was discharged. A grandson, John^ 



24 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

entered the company of his uncle, as Ensign. In Jan- 
uary, 1777, he was promoted to First Lieutenant in a 
Company of another Battalion, in which he continued 
until September, 1780. Another grandson, Samuel, was 
appointed First Lieutenant in Captain Stout's Company 
of the " Jersey Line," first establishment, December i8th, 

1775. He was taken prisoner at Three Rivers, June 8th, 

1776. He became Captain, February 5th, 1777, and 
Major of the First Regiment, December 29th, 1781, and 
served until the close of the war. Yet another, Charles, 
was Lieutenant of the Third Regiment, Hunterdon, and 
afterwards Captain. 

The Governor's oldest daughter, Ann, married Rev. 
Charles Beatty, one of the first graduates of the Old 
Log College of Neshaminy, Pa. He was a co-worker 
with the Tennants in this State, and a prominent clergy- 
man all his life. They were the progenitors of a num- 
erous line of descendants, some of whom have been 
conspicuous in Church and State. On the female side, 
eight married Presbyterian ministers ; viz.. Revs. Enoch 
Green, J. W. Moore, P. F. Fithian, Samuel Lawrence, 
Alexander Boyd, Robert Steel, D.D., Henry R. Wilson, 
D.D., B. Wilbar, C. C. Beatty, D.D,, who was one of the 
most honored and distinguished ministers of the Pres- 
byterian Church, was a grandson; and Miss Beatty, a 
pioneer female missionary at Dehra, India, was a 
great-granddaughter. One of the sons. General John 
Beatty, was in the Revolutionary war. For many years 
he was one of the most prominent citizens of Trenton, 
He was the first President of the Bridge Company, and 
of the Trenton Bank. Elizabeth, another daughter of 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 2$ 

the Governor, married John Hackett, from whom Hack- 
ettstown derived its name. Another daughter, Mary, 
was married to Rev. William Mills. 

Daniel, the third son of the Governor, had two sons, 
Daniel and John Reid, and several daughters. One 
married Mr. Wood, and was the mother of George Wood, 
an eminent lawyer of New York ; another married a 
Montgomery, and was the mother of General Mont- 
gomery ; another married Rev. Mr. Grant, the first 
pastor of this church. The son Daniel lived on James 
Ewing's farm, and his son, Daniel Kennedy, left the 
money to build the academy which is now our public 
school. John Reid Reading had several children, of 
whom were Robert K., and a daughter who married 

Isaac G. Farlee. 

The Governor and many of his descendants lie in the 
old Amwell churchyard, others in our burial ground. 

His youngest son, Thomas, lived on the old home- 
stead at Flemington Junction. He was one of the fore- 
most in the effort to establish this church, and was one 
of its first elders and trustees. The children of the 
Governor's oldest son, John, were George, Alexander, 
Montgomery and John. Joseph, who was the son of 
this John, and a grandson of the Governor, was a trustee 
of this congregation from 1823 to his death in 1833. He 
was the father of John G. Reading, who was for many 
years a merchant in this town. He was a trustee of 
this congregation from 1852 until his removal to Phila- 
delphia in 1867. He acquired a large fortune. He be- 
stowed liberally to various religious and benevolent ob- 
jects. By him the windows in the audience room of the 
church, costing $800, were given, as a memorial of his 



20 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

parents. He died in Philadelphia, January 27th, 1891.. 
In his will he bequeathed $2000 to the trustees of this 
church. " In trust, however, for the uses and purposes 
following, that is to say : To safely invest the same 
upon good bonds secured by first fnortgage or mortgages 
on real estate, in such sum or sums not more than one- 
half or the real value of such real estate, and the net in- 
come and interest derived therefrom, less taxes and 
other necessary expenses incident thereto, or so much 
of the said net income as may be necessary, to be used 
by them in keeping in good order and repair the fence 
around our private burial plot in the graveyard of said 
church, and also the burial plot itself, with the grave- 
stones and monument therein, and to use and apply the 
residue of such net income, in keeping in good order and 
repair the outside fence around the said graveyard." 

The first Presbyterian Church organized in Philadel- 
phia was in 1698. In 1707 the number of ministers was 
eight, and they formed a Presbytery. In 17 16 this 
numiber had increased to seventeen. This Presbytery 
covered the large territory from Virginia to New York. 
In the Hopewell Valley religious worship was held by 
Presbyterians, several years before Rev. Robert Orr, the 
first pastor, was ordained and installed over the church 
in Maidenhead, now Lawrenceville, in 17 15. His field 
embraced the ground covered by Pennington, Lawrence, 
Trenton and Titusville. It is probable that Amwell was 
included in this wide parish. For the call was pre- 
sented by Philip Ringo, who was the first settler in 
Ringoes. In 1719 a church had been organized in Read- 
ington composed of Dutch Huguenots. Among these 
were names still found in their descendants, Latourette,. 



FLEMINGTON, NEV/ JERSEY. 27 

Delamater, Devore, Lequear, Grandin, Hoagland, Fisher, 
Probasco, Schenck, Van Fleet, Wyckoff, Voorhees. 

These facts warrant the inference that Presbyterian 
worship was held at an early day in the last century in 
this Amwell Valley. As the minutes of the Presbytery 
of Philadelphia from 171 7-1733 have been lost, there is 
no record of the churches formed during that period. 
But at the first meeting of the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick, which had been formed by dividing the 
Presbytery of Philadelphia, held August 8th, 1738, the 
church of Amwell is found upon the roll. It had prob- 
ably been organized by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. 
Presbyterian service was probably held as early as 
1716, under the ministry of Rev. Robert Orr, through 
whose labors there was a large increase to the churches. 
I infer from his zeal, that he occasionally preached in 
that neighborhood, especially as an Episcopal congre- 
gation was flourishing as early as 1725 in Amwell. Be- 
fore the population required the erection of a church 
edifice, meetings were held at private houses. That 
Son of Thunder, Rev. Gilbert Tennant, called to New 
Brunswick in 1738, extended his preaching tours as far 
as this region, and quickened the zeal of the multitudes 
he addressed. The proximity of this district to the Old 
Log College at Neshaminy, Pa., now Hartsville, prob- 
ably secured the services of some of those pioneers of 
Presbyterianism. Whitfield preached at Amwell, April 
25th, 1739 He says, "Some thousands of people had 
gathered here by noon, expecting me then, but Mr. 
Gilbert Tennant and John Rowland, Wales and Camp- 
bell, coming there to meet me, had given them three 
• sermons." Mr. Rowland possessed a commanding elo- 



28 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

quence, was fearless and faithful, and became very pop- 
ular. He labored at Amwell, " an agreeable people " as 
he calls them. They asked to have him for their minis- 
ter, October 4th, 1739, to preach to them one-third of 
his time ; but the Presbytery ordained him as an evan- 
gelist, October 12th, 1739. As such, he preached for 
six months at Amwell and Lawrenceville with great ac- 
ceptance. There were amazing manifestations at Am- 
well. There was a revival in 1740. 

This religious awakening must have greatly strength- 
ened the Amwell Church, which was at that date the 
only Presbyterian Church between Pennington and the 
churches at Kingwood and Bethlehem. 

Henry Race, M.D., of Pittstown, has a certificate of a 
lottery from the Presbyterian Church of Amwell, which 
began its drawing May 5th, 1749, and finished May 12th, 
1749. This would indicate that a church edifice was 
built about that time, because these church lotteries 
were devoted to that purpose. Probably, therefore, a 
log building had sufficed for the congregation, until 
these revivals required larger accommodations. This 
house of worship stood in the old graveyard on the 
York Road, about half way between Reaville and Lari- 
son's Corner. 

The first pastor was Eliab Byram, who accepted the 
call June 25th, 1751. He graduated at Har^jard in 1740. 
He was a companion of the devoted Brainerd, and be- 
came pastor at Mendham, N. J., in 1743. He went v/ith 
Rev. William Dean, who was a graduate of Log College, 
to the valley of Virginia in 1746, where their labors 
were blessed with a great revival which continued until 
175 1. They were compelled to leave, on account of a 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 29 

bitter feeling which was excited against them by "The 
Old Side," which stirred up the government of Virginia 
against the revivalists. In the Amwell Valley Mr. Byram's 
labors were so successful, that, in 1754, the Presbytery was 
petitioned, "by the people bordering on the Delaware," 
to give them the privilege of building a meeting house 
for their own convenience. This was granted, and a 
separate congregation was formed, and a church built at 
Mount Airy, which was called the Second Amwell. 

These continued as united charges until 1818. In 
1753 a parsonage was purchased. The old subscription 
papers are still on file, with the following names ap- 
pended : John Smith, Jacob Sutphin, John Steel, Jacob 
Mattison, Eliab Byram (who gave" ^10), Benjamin 
Howell, Garret Schenck, Jon. Stout, Elizabeth Harney, 
William Schenck, Abraham Prall, Peter Prall, Daniel 
Larew, Thomas Hardin, Benjamin Johnson, David Bar- 
ham. The parish was divided into two districts, the 
south side of the Neshanic (afterwards called the Old 
House division), and the north side (afterwards called 
the Flemington division). This distinction is retained 
in all subscription papers and salary lists. The follow- 
ing names were of the north side : John Reading (the 
Governor, who subscribed ^^50), John Reading, Jr., 
Jacob Gray, Daniel Reading, Jacob Mattison, Martin 
Ryerson (the great-grandfather of the late Hon. Martin 
Ryerson, of Newton, N.J. In 1767, Martin Ryerson was 
one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common 
Pleas for this county), David Barham, Daniel Griggs, 
George Reading, James Stout, Richard Philips, John 
Anderson, William Anderson, Samuel Carman, Samuel 



30 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

Fiirman, Thomas Hunt, Jonathan Hill, Samuel Fleming, 
Richard Reading, Samuel Hill, Joseph Reading, Derrick 
Sutphin, John Cox, John Francis, William Davison, John 
Wood, Henry Dildine, Nathaniel Bogart, Abraham 
Larew. 

Rev. Mr. Byram died before May 1754. It is sup- 
posed that his body lies under the heavy horizontal slab, 
on which not a letter is engraved, in the old graveyard. 

In 1755 a Mr. Hait, or Hoit, was ordained. He had 
graduated at the College of New Jersey the preceding 
year. Rev. Samuel Davies wrote of him, "A promising 
young man." He remained ten years. He then went 
to Wallkill, Orange County, N. Y., and afterwards set- 
tled at Connecticut Farms, N. J., where he died, 1779. 
He was Moderator of the Synod of New York and Phil- 
adelphia, which met at Philadelphia, May 22nd, 1776. 
He was succeeded by William Kirkpatrick, June 24th, 
1766, who died three years afterwards, September 8th, 
1769. His monument is in the old graveyard. Rev. 
Mr. Frazer, the Episcopal rector of Amwell, wrote re- 
specting Mr. Kirkpatrick: "The Presbyterian congre- 
gation attended at church constantly, since the death of 
their minister the Rev. Mr. Kirkpatrick, who died about 
twelve months ago. This gerjtleman's benevolent dis- 
position and good catholic spirit has had its proper 
effect upon his congregation, who are not anyways tinc- 
tured with that rigid severity in their religious notions, 
oftentimes so peculiar to Dissenters." Penn. Magazine, 
July 1888, p. 226. 

Mr. Kirkpatrick graduated from Princeton College, 
in 1757, of which institution afterwards he was elected 
a trustee, in 1768. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 3 1 

Mr. John Warford was his successor. He graduated 
from Princeton in 1774. He was ordained and installed 
July 31st, 1776. Mr. William Tennant was Moderator. 
In those days the Presbytery of New Brunswick extended 
from Newton to Trenton, and across the middle of the 
State. Mr. Warford was sent as supply to Knowlton, 
Warren County, and to Freehold. He was settled upon 
a salary of ^100, the congregations of First and Second 
Amwell each paying ^50. But, during the Revolution, 
prices of produce increased, arising mostly from the de- 
preciation of the Continental money, so that this sum 
did not represent the same value as when he was called. 
So, at a joint meeting of the two congregations, January 
2ist, 1779, it was agreed that the salary be paid in pro- 
duce at the old price, or as much money as would pur- 
chase it. Some paid in money, some in produce, and 
some a part in each, as the salary lists show. At the 
same meeting it was determined to circulate a subscrip- 
tion to purchase a new parsonage, for the old one was 
very much out of repair. On this paper generous sums 
were signed. But the price of land rose so rapidly, that 
when the time came to buy, the amount raised v/as not 
sufficient. This was abandoned. Meantime the trus- 
tees hired " a plantation adjourning the parsonage for 
^150, in order the better to support the minister," and 
a special subscription was circulated to make up that 
sum. Mr. Warford's pastorate continued until October 
23rd, 1787, although he supplied the pulpit occasionally 
during the following winter and spring. In July, 1789, 
he was installed over the Presbyterian Church at Salem, 
N. J. He had a warm heart, and was enlisted in the 



32 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

cause of Christian philanthropy and missionary enter- 
prise, to which he devoted much of his energies. 

In 1784 a proposal was made to sell the two buildings, 
''commonly called the old and new meeting houses of 
the English Presbyterians of Amwell, and erect one 
house for the two congregations at a central point, 
which it is supposed must be between the old meeting 
house and the brook or run of water crossing the roads 
below John Ringo's old tavern house. As these houses 
will go but a little way toward building a new house, 
which must be large and good," subscriptions were so- 
licited. But though encouragement was received, the 
congregations did not favor the measure, and it was 
abandoned. 

The acknowledgment of the independence of the thir- 
teen Colonies, and the return of peace, renewed the tide 
of immigration, which had flowed so strongly before the 
Revolution, and Hunterdon County received its share ; 
so that, in 1790, the population of the county was, 20,153. 
The population of the townships was : Amwell, 5201, 
which was more than double that of any other town- 
ship; Kingwood, 2440; Hopewell, 2320 ; Trenton, 1946; 
Alexandria, 1503 ; Bethlehem, 1335; Maidenhead, 1032. 
Lebanon, Readington and Tewksbury are combined, 
4370. The number of slaves, 1301, and of free blacks, 

191. 

It began to be inconvenient and expensive to the 
large number residing around Flemington and north- 
ward, to go to Trenton for the transaction of legal 
business where court was held since 1719. Besides, that 
county-seat was at the extreme southern corner, and the 
county buildings were "much out of repair." In 1790 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. ^^ 

Trenton was made the Capital of New Jersey and in 
that same year this act was passed: "In pursuance 
of an act of the Legislature the seat of Justice of the 
County of Hunterdon was, by a large majority (up- 
wards of three-fifths) of all the votes of the county, at. 
an election held in October of that year, located in 
Flemington." The election \vas held " at a place called 
Ringo Tavern." 

In 1785 the courts first met in Flemington ; but it 
would seem that some hinderance prevented the final 
determination to locate the countv-seat here. 

At the first meeting of the Board of Justices and 
Freeholders in Flemington, January 3d, 1791, it was re- 
solved to raise ^2500 for a court-house and jail. On 
the 27th of the same month, the Board met at the house 
of George Alexander, who offered to give half an acre 
of land for the court-house, jail, and jail yard. This 
was accepted. In May, 1793, the building was occupied. 

It cost ;^2500. 



34 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



THE FLEMINGTON CHURCH 



FLEMINGTON was now the county-seat, and new 
families were moving in. Thomas Capner came 
here with John Hall, his uncle, in 1787. This John Hall 
w5s an intimate friend of Thomas Paine. Several 
others of the Capner family came in 1792. For many 
years they were a prominent family. 

Also Peter Haward, father of Thomas C. Haward, 
Hugh Exton, wife and six children and three servants, 
bound for five years ; James Choyce, wife and four 
children ; Mrs. Hannah Clark and four children ; Robert 
Bottomer and son ; N. Bacon ; Hannah ; Doctor Moore. 
These landed in Philadelphia, September i6th, 1796, 
after a voyage of sixty-four days. 

It was a ride of six miles to the Amwell Church, 
which vvas then situated where the old burying ground 
lies on the York Road, The two charges, sixteen miles 
long, were more than one pastor could properly attend to. 
The only public worship in the village was by a Baptist 
minister, once in three weeks. That denomination had 
had a building for years, but a pastor was not settled until 
179S. The majority of the people in and about the vil- 
lage were Presbyterians and German Lutherans. It was 
natural, therefore, that the question of having a Presby- 
terian Church in Flemington began to be agitated. The 
subject first took this form. The First and Second Amwell 
Churches were about to give a call to Rev. Mr. Grant. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 35 

In April, 1791, a paper was circulated in Flemington, 
asking subscriptions for a fund to be paid to the cor- 
poration of First Amwell, toward the support of Mr. 
Grant, if he would preach in and about Flemington 
one-quarter of his time ; stating, that the Baptist meet- 
ing house had been offered for that purpose, when not 
wanted by that congregation ; and that the court-room 
in the court-house, which was to be built the ensuing 
summer, could be used ; ^21 were subscribed to be 
paid in hard money. But for some cause this project 
was abandoned. Jasper Smith then proposed that the 
old meeting house should be torn down, and a church 
erected at Flemington, as a spot much more central and 
better calculated to strengthen the congregation. In 
this he failed. Foiled in these efforts, the friends of a 
nevv^ church now took the preliminary steps towards its 
organization. A paper was circulated, bearing date 
June 23d, 1 79 1, stating why it was desirable to form a 
Presbyterian Church in Flemington, and agreeing to 
enter into such an organization, and to place it under the 
care of the Presbytery of New Brunswick. The names 
appended are these : John Griggs, Martin Johnson, John 
Reading, Joseph Reading, F. V. Hicks, Jacob Painter, 
Nicholas Emmons, Peter Case, John Case, Samuel 
Groff, Rebecca Heavison, Samuel Griggs, Charles 
Reading, Jacob Johnson, Gilbert Van Camp, Jas. Alex- 
ander, Joakim Griggs, Isaac Hill, Jasper Smith, Henry 
Bailie, George Alexander, Daniel Reading, Richard 
Hill, Joseph Capner, John Derrick, Philip Yawger, Ely 
Pierson, John R. Reading, John Henry, Cornelius Pol- 
hemus, Thos. Reading, Hendrick Johnson, Arthur Gray, 
Joseph Gray, James Clark, Susannah Smith, Peter 



^6 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

Order, Samuel Hill, Peter Latourette, Jacob Hufman, 
John Gray, Henry Baker, Philip Case, Rem. Voorhees, 
John Phillips, John Hartpence, Thos. Carhart, Paul 
Cool, John Schenck, Peter Yawger, Jacob Polhemus, 
Amos Hartley, Richard Phillips, William Schenck, Jr., 
Elizabeth Blackwell, Wm. Case. 

On the 27th of August the two congregations of 
First and Second Amwell were notified, by three of the 
trustees of First Amwell who had signed this paper, 
viz., Jasper Smith, Thos. Reading and Arthur Gray, 
that this application would be made at the meeting of 
Presbytery, to be held in October at Pennington. Jas- 
per Smith appeared before Presbytery in behalf of the 
petitioners, who asked to be enrolled "as a new formed 
Church, to have regular supplies ordered to them until 
they could build a church, and are able to support a 
regular and stated preacher of the Gospel among them." 
The reasons urged were: the distance of the old church, 
the very bad roads in winter, that the water was often 
so high in the streams during the spring as to be im- 
passable, and that no refj-eshment could be obtained. Gen- 
erally, in those times, a tavern was opposite the church, 
and the congregation in the intermission between the 
two services, when they were so arranged, went to the 
tavern for drink. It was considered a serious privation 
that no such opportunity was afforded at First Amwell 
Church. In 1704a statute declared that "Keepers of 
public houses were not to allow tippling on the Lord's 
Day, except for necessary refreshment." 

" Wherever God erects a house of prayer, 
The devil always builds a chapel there." 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 37 

The petition also stated, that a temporary place for 
holding service had been procured, and that of the fifty- 
five heads of families signing, thirteen only were 
connected with the old Church as subscribers toward 
the salary. This application was strenuously opposed 
by the two Amwells, through their representative, John 
Praull, Jr., because such a measure would be very in-, 
jurious to them, so weakening them in their feeble 
condition, that they could not support a pastor. After 
hearing the parties at great length. Presbytery unani- 
mously resolved, that, " It would be imprudent to come to 
a decision upon the case at present ; but that the Pres- 
bytery meet at the First Presbyterian Church of Amwell, 
on the first Tuesday in November, at eleven o'clock in the 
forenoon, to examine into and settle, if possible, the 
differences; and that all the members of said congre- 
gations, entitled to vote on congregational matters, and 
all the subscribers to the petition aforesaid, be desired 
to attend punctually at said time and place, as it is the 
ardent wish of Presbytery to promote the peace and 
harmony of all parties." Dr. Stanhope Smith, of 
Princeton College, was appointed to preach at said 
church on the Sabbath previous to the meeting of Pres- 
bytery.* Presbytery convened on the day appointed. 
Great interest was taken in this case, as appears from 
the large attendance, and prominent members who were 
present, viz., Drs. Witherspoon and Smith, of the college, 
Armstrong, of Trenton, Joseph Clark, of AUentown, 
afterward of New Brunswick. I continue the record of 
Presbytery : " The parties having been heard to their 



*See minutes of Presbytery of New Brunswick. 



38 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

entire satisfaction, after mature deliberation. Presby- 
tery resolved unanimously, that, in the present circum- 
stances, matters do not appear ripe for forming the 
petitioners into a new congregation, as it would nullify 
the proceedings already had, in unanimously voting a 
call for Mr. Grant ; and as the Presbytery would cheer- 
fully form a new congregation at Flemington, if it had 
no appearance of weakening the congregations of Am well, 
they earnestly advise all parties to unite in prosecuting 
the call for Mr. Grant, and that they would pursue such 
measures as tend to peace. Resolved also, that Mr. 
Grant (provided he accept the call prepared for him by 
said congregations) preach one-quarter part of his time 
at Amwell First Church, one other fourth part of his 
time at Flemington, and the remaining half of his time 
at Amwell Second Church, and that the salary be 
apportioned to the time at each place. And in order to 
promote the union and interest of these congregations, 
ordered that Dr. Witherspoon preach at Amwell First 
Church the first Sabbath of November, and that Dr. 
Smith preach at Flemington the first Sabbath of De- 
cember. The parties, having heard the minutes read, 
agreed to stand by the decision of the Presbytery, and 
to prosecute the call for Mr. Grant, agreeably to the 
meaning and intent of this decision, making the annual 
provision of £i2>^, gold or silver,* besides the use of 
a parsonage of ;£^7oo or ;£8oo value." At the same 
meeting, Mr. Grant having signified his acceptance of 
the call, the second Tuesday of December, at eleven 
o'clock, was appointed for his ordination and installa- 



*0f this Flemington paid £2)'2. loj. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 39 

tion. This service was held December T3th, 1791. Rev. 
James F. Armstrong had been appointed to preside and 
preach, but on account of a severe storm, he was not 
present. The Moderator of Presbytery, Rev. Joseph 
Clark, preached, and Rev. John Hanna presided and 
proposed the Constitutional questions. And Mr. Clark 
also gave charge to the "newly ordained bishop." 

On January 9th, 1792, a meeting was heldof the newly- 
formed congregation, in the Baptist meeting house, 
" where more than thirty families (of Presbyterians) 
statedly assembled for worship." Their purpose accord- 
ing to a notice previously given of which the original 
is on file) was to elect trustees, and thereby secure in- 
corporation. "Jasper Smith, counsellor-at-law, Thomas 
Reading, Esq., Captains Arthur Gray and Charles 
Reading, Messrs. Cornelius Polhemus, Samuel Hill and 
Joseph Capner," were elected and incorporated as " The 
Trustees of the Flemington English Presbyterian Church 
in Amwell, in the county of Hunterdon and State of 
New Jersey." And on the 28th of the same month they 
severally took the oath as prescribed by law, and chose 
Jasper Smith as their President. 

In the^spring of 1793 ground was broken for a build- 
ing. A lot had been purchased of Joseph Robeson, con- 
taining one acre, thirty-seven perches, for ^40 silver. 
The deed was not given until July 17th, 1794. The edifice 
was 45x55 feet, buiit of stone. The walls were pointed, 
and the corners laid v/ith hewn stone, brought "from 
Large's land, in Kingwood, where the like stones were 
got for the court-house." For the day in which it was 
built, it was a most creditable structure, showing the 
liberality and good taste of the people. It stood within 



40 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

the present graveyard fence. The front was just where 
the south fence of the Metier plot runs. The front was 
to the south, where were two doors of entrance. On 
each of the sides were two rows of three windows. The 
windows on the upper row were arched. The north end 
had two arched windows. The outside was handsomely 
finished and painted, but the inside walls were not 
plastered. Rough benches, made of saw-mill slabs put 
on legs, furnished seats for the worshippers. Two aisles 
extended through the building. In the winter days, a 
little heat was produced from two pits, set in the floor of 
these aisles, about two-thirds up towards the pulpit. 
Each pit was about five feet long and one deep, and 
bricked. These were filled with glowing charcoal. 
About 1816 two stoves for burning wood were put in, 
but these did not warm the church sufficiently. When 
anthracite coal was introduced, two coal stoves, made of 
sheet iron, by Mahlon Smith, were used for years, in 
addition to the wood stoves. This partly finished build- 
ing cost ^650 cash, besides material and labor which 
were given, to the value of ^300 more; ^250 additional 
were needed to put the houise in complete order ; ^400 
were raised by subscription. The congregation were in 
debt to Jasper Smith ^276 i6s. 10^., which he had 
advanced. In April, 1795, an-eftort was made to pay 
this off. Toward this Mr. Smith subscribed ^100. But 
an arrearage remained of ;£^g up to 1801. Probably 
this congregation has never had so liberal a benefactor 
as he was ; certainly never one who devoted more time 
and effort to its interest. 

He presented the pulpit Bible which laid upon the 
desk for sixty-three years, until the Church was torn 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 41 

down. This Bible is still preserved among the archives 
of our Church. The history of this edition of the Bible, 
which was the first printed in New Jersey, is so interest- 
ing that I may be pardoned for inserting a sketch of it 
here. A fuller account can be seen on the inside of the 
cover of the Bible. This quarto edition of the Bible 
was issued in 1791, by Isaac Collins, a member of the 
Society of Friends, and at that time an enterprising 
printer at Trenton, N. J. He printed the first news- 
paper in New Jersey, at Burlington, in 1777. In the Acts 
of the General Assembly of New Jersey, printed in 1776, 
he calls himself "Printer to the King." In 1788, Mr. 
Collins issued proposals to print a quarto edition of the 
Bible in 984 pages, at the price of four Spanish dollars. 
The Synod of New Jersey the same year recommended 
the undertaking. In 1789, the General Assembly 
appointed a committee of sixteen, to lay Mr. Collins's 
proposal before the Presbyteries, and recommended that 
subscriptions be solicited in each congregation. This 
recommendation was repeated in 1790 and 1791. The 
edition of 5000 copies was issued in 1791. So far as I 
have been able to learn only one other Bible has ever 
been published in New Jersey. This was in Morristown, 
in 1805. On the title page of the Morristown Bible is 
this statement: 

Printed by Mann and Douglass, for themselves : for 
J. Tiebout, S. Stephens, S. Gould & Co., Ronalds & 
Loudon, Sage S. Thompson, D.D. Smith, C. Flanigan, J. 
Harrison, G. & R. Waite, T. Kirk, C. Brown, D. Long- 
worth, R. McGill, G. Sinclair, New York ; Daniel 
Brewer, Jr., Taunton, Mass.; S. Kollock, Elizabeth- 
town ; J. Oram, Trenton, N. J., 1805. 



42 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

Jasper Smith was an ardent patriot of the Revolution, 
a devoted Christian, a strong Presbyterian, and one of 
the leading lawyers of the county. 

The name Jasper Smith, probably the grandfather of 
this Jasper, appears among certain persons to whom, in 
March, 1699, was conveyed a piece of ground ''for the 
erecting of a meeting house and for a burying-ground 
and a school house, inhabitants of Maidenhead (now 
Lawrenceville) and parts adjacent." In 1721, a Jasper 
Smith was a Justice of the Peace. In 1 754, a Jasper Smith 
was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Probably 
this was the father of the Jasper who settled in Fleming- 
ton. The Jasper Smith to whom this church was so 
much indebted, graduated from Princeton College in 
1758, and probably soon after came to Flemington. In 
1763 he was a practising lawyer. Because in the grave- 
yard is a tombstone bearing this inscription : " Here 
lieth the body of Eleanor Smith, wife of Jasper Smith 
of Amwell, Esq., and daughter of Colonel Ryerson, of 
Readingtown, who died November 22nd, 1766, in the 
twenty-sixth year of her age." 

His name appears as one of the trustees of the Am- 
well Church in 1779. He was soon made President of 
the Board, which post he held until the Flemington 
Church was organized. And to his thoughtfulness, in 
preserving the papers connected with the business of the 
First Amwell and Flemington Churches, I am greatly 
indebted. Without them this historv would have been 
meagre. He was very active in church matters, and a 
very benevolent man. His name is on every subscription 
paper, and generally for the largest sum. He was a 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 45 

lawyer and lived in Flemington. He built the house 
now occupied by John L. Jones, Esq. 

He removed to his native Lawrenceville after the 
year 1801. He died October 5th, 1813. On the tomb- 
stone is the following inscription : 

" In him, while living, the congregations of Fleming- 
ton and Maidenhead had an active and vigilant guardian^ 
and in death a liberal benefactor." 

His name appears as an elder in that Church in 1807 
He built for his own use the house which is now the 
Presbyterian Parsonage at Lawrenceville. His son,, 
Jasper, bequeathed the property, over two hundred acres 
to the congregation ; and it is now in their possession. 

On May nth, 1794, Mr. Grant for the first time 
preached in the new^ house. The dedication sermon was 
preached by the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, of Trenton. Al- 
though the congregation had a Board of Trustees, there 
was no Session, for the Session of the First Amwell 
acted in that capacity. It appears that the pastor was 
not always able to meet his appointments. So the 
trustees convened the congregation, who chose over- 
seers, *'To keep order in the church in the time of wor- 
ship, and to conduct divine worship and read a serm.on 
when the pastor is absent. Jacob Mattison, Joakim 
Griggs, Thomas Reading, and Jasper Smith were ap- 
pointed." On July i6th, 1797, the first elders were or- 
dained — Thomas Reading and Jasper Smith — to whom 
a *' lengthy charge " was given by Mr. Grant. 

But the congregation labored under serious disad- 
vantages. The pastor preached here but once in three 
Sundays. He lived near Reaville Consequently the 
people saw him seldom, and this church was little more 



44 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

than a preaching post. Also the population had not in- 
creased as was expected. The cause was that the young 
people were drawn to the great west of that day — Central 
New York and Northern Pennsylvania. An old record 
of this church states, that collections were taken by order 
of Presbytery, to support missionaries on those frontiers. 
In ten years Hunterdon had added to her population 
only 1108, while Western New York had increased 
from 1000 to 60,000. 

Besides, religion was at a low ebb all over the nation. 
French infidelity attained the largest influence which it 
ever possessed in this country. Everywhere " the habits 
of the people were loose and irreligious." The Sabbath 
was made a day of visiting, business, or pastime. In- 
temperance prevailed to a frightful extent. The early 
settlers here, like all the Dutch and Germans, used malt 
liquors as a beverage ; spirituous liquors were employed 
mostly for medicine. The wars of 1756, and of the 
Revolution, brought rum into general use. The drink- 
ing of ardent spirits, acquired in the army, was con- 
tinued by the soldiers on their return home, and their 
practice was followed by others. More liquor was 
drunk per capita in this country, for the two or three 
decades after the war, than in any other nation on the 
face of the earth. Its mantifacture made extensive 
progress in the United States. Thirteen thousand re- 
tail licenses were issued in 1800, and intemperance 
grew, so that it came to pass that we were denominated 
over the civilized world as a nation of drunkards. In 
one township along the Raritan, at the commencement 
of this century, eight distilleries were in operation. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 45 

Custom required each hand, in hay or harvest, to be fur- 
nished with one pint of rum per day. Almost ever)^ 
farmer had his cellar stocked with barrels of cider spirits. 
A large quantity of apple whiskey was carted to Trenton 
and Philadelphia, and sold at from twenty-five to thirty 
cents a gallon. Along the line of the Somerville and 
Easton Turnpike, which passed through Hunterdon 
County from near White House to Bloomsbury, and 
which in its day was one of the great thoroughfares of 
the State, were forty taverns, an average of nearly one 
for every mile. 

In addition to these general causes, religion declined, 
especially in this church, at that time, because Mr, 
Grant's health was so delicate, that frequently he was 
unable to discharge the duties of his ministry here. For 
these reasons, the zeal by which the congregation was 
at first animated greatly declined. Also they were in 
arrears in money matters. The same difficulty existed 
in the congregations of Amwell. In April, 1809, Mr. 
Grant requested that the pastoral relation between him 
and the several congregations should be dissolved 
urging his want of health to perform the duties required. 
This was granted. In less than two years he died, 
March, 181 1. I have not been able to obtain information 
respecting Mr. Grant, except that he graduated at 
Princeton in 1786, and that he married a granddaughter 
of Governor Reading. 

Flemington at this date, 1809, was a small village. 
From the Presbyterian Church to the Baptist there were 
sixteen houses, of these three were occupied as taverns. 
The road to the east of the Presbyterian Church crossed 
at this point, and proceeded in a straight line to Mine 



46 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

Street, crossing it where Mr. T. Bellis's coal yard now 
is ; so that there were two triangles here. There was 
a. tavern on the ground on which the church stands. It 
was a point along which there was a great deal of travel. 
The tavern sign swung just where the Soldiers' Monu- 
ment is. Along the west side of the tavern, and extend- 
ing to the first church, was a green, open yard, which 
was occupied on training days by the militia. It was 
often the scene of fights and carousals. In December 
of that year a debating society was formed. Water w^as 
often scarce, through the. failure of wells, so that people 
were compelled to haul it, sometimes from the Branch. 
This led to the introduction of water in 1808. In 1805 
an infantry company was formed, called the Flemington 
Volunteers. In September, 1807, all the members of 
this company volunteered to be ready to march at a 
moment's notice, whenever called by the Governor. 
Women, at that time, went to the polls and voted, as 
they were permitted under the old Constitution of the 
State. In 1801 a library association was formed. Books 
were donated by individuals. But it always remained 
a small affair, and finally the books were sold and the 
proceeds were given to a charitable object. 

A whipping-post stood near the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and the whipper was one of the inferior officers of 
the township. In all the early legislation of New Jersey 
corporal punishment was frequently imposed, as the pen- 
alty for small offences. It was inflicted upon slaves more 
frequently than on other offenders. In 1732, the court 
ordered the managers of the public money to "cause to 
be built a good and sufficient pair of stocks and whip- 
ping-post, to be placed by the prison." And in 1773 the 




Rev. THOMAS GRANT, 

PASTOR 1 791-1809. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 47 

Board of Justices and Freeholders provided for repairs 
on court-house and jail, which were then in Trenton, 
and to get a new pair of stocks, post, and pillory. And 
as a part of the modes of punishment connected with 
the administration of the law in the court-house of 
Flemington, there must be not only the jail, but also the 
whipping-post. 

The church was served by supplies for one year. 
Meanwhile this congregation proposed to the German 
congregation at Larison's, v/hich had also become 
vacant, to join with them in the call and support of one 
and the same pastor. This proposal would probably 
have been accepted, had not the First Amwell, on be- 
coming acquainted with the overture, offered to unite 
with them on the same terms. This last seemed to them 
the more desirable and natural union, as it was. Thus 
the old house (First Amwell, Reaville), the new house, 
(Second Amwell, Mt. Airy), and the Germ^an congrega- 
tion united for the support of one pastor, together pos- 
sessing funds, the interest of which amounted to $600,* 
while the Flemington portion was left by itself, without 
funds, and even in debt. Probably this church has 
never been in so deplorable a condition. Piety had de- 
clined ; numbers were few ; circumstances seemed to 
conspire against them ; they found no sympathy or help 
from others. That long-tried and ever-ready Jasper 
Smith was no longer with them. But there were those 
who called upon the Lord in that day of trouble, and 
He heard and delivered them. He inspired the hearts 
of two or three individuals to undertake the apparently 



* 1806. First Amwell sold their parsonage to Nathaniel 
Wilson for $6,429.33. It contained 175 acres. 



48 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

hopeless task of raising, by subscription, support for a 
pastor for the whole of his time ; and He moved the 
people to respond with a most unexpected liberality, 
so that in the spring of 1810, the congregation made a 
call to Mr. Jacob Field, a licentiate of the Presbytery of 
New Brunswick, on a salary of $500 yearly the first two 
years, and then to increase at the rate of $20 a year 
until it amounted to $600. Under the circumstances, 
this was a large salary. It equaled that paid by con- 
gregations far more able, and it proves what a church 
can do, when thoroughly aroused and quickened by 
provocation. Would that a sense of duty could keep a 
congregation up to the same standard ! Ten years 
after, this same people, when stronger, found it harder 
to pay one-half this sum. This call was laid before 
Presbytery at the same meeting, when a call was pre- 
sented for Jacob Kirkpatrick, from the First and Second 
Amwell (the German Church being by mutual agree- 
ment considered as a branch of the former).* Mr. Field 
preferred to supply the congregation for six months, 
before deciding to accept the call. On the 28th of 
November, 1810, he was ordained and installed. 

About the time this call was given, encouraged by 
the success of the effort to raise the salary, another sub- 
scription was opened, to obtain money for the comple- 
tion of the church building on which $700 were pro- 
cured, and during the summer of 1810 the interior of 
the house was completed. The walls were plastered, 
and the ceiling rounded and covered with narrow boards 
painted sky blue. Candlesticks fastened to the pillars 



* Hence the Corporate name Amwell United First. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 49 

furnished Hght, when there was evening service, which 
was seldom. Wooden candelabra were made for the 
pulpit in 1816. Oil lamps were not introduced until 
about 1825. The old slab benches were put in the gal- 
lery, and fifty-four pews took their places on the ground 
floor. It was agreed to leave these pews free until the 
next spring. On the 3d of April, 181 1, a meeting of the 
congregation was held, of which Geo. C. Maxwell, for 
many years a prominent lawyer of this village, was 
made President, Alexander Bonnell, Vice-President, and 
Thomas Gordon, Secretary. " It was unanimously re- 
solved, that the pews should be rented for the purpose 
of supporting the pastor, and other purposes." And so 
it has continued until this day. At this meeting, a reso- 
lution was passed, that "any person or persons, who 
choose, may have a door to their pew, but at their own 
expense." The rents amounted to $635.75. The highest 
was $23, and the lowest $5. If we compare the value of 
money then, and the incomes of the people, with the 
same now, w^e shall find that our fathers paid more in 
proportion then, for the support of the Gospel, than is 
paid by us. In other words, pew rents were higher in 
181 1 than they have been since. That you may know 
who were members of the congregation and hired those 
pews, I insert the names, Jonathan Hill, Cornelius 
Williamson, John R. Reading, \V. Maxwell, J. Reading, 
Jr., T. Gordon, J. Maxwell (these four were probably 
unmarried men, as they occupied one pew), Christopher 
Cool, Sr., William Case, Dr. William Geary, John G. 
Trimmer, Jas. Disbrow, Charles Reading, Jr., H. Groff, 
Peter Groff (these four also took one pew), Peter Dilts, 
Leonard Kuhl, Peter Kuhl, Jr. (these three one pew). 



5° 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



Neal Hart, Peter Haward, Joakim Hill, Matthew Thomp- 
son, Henry Baker, Preston Bruen, Elnathan Moore, 
Ferdinand Johnson, Derrick Waldron, Andrew Vanfliet, 
William Bloom, Peter Nevius, James Clark, Jr., John 
Schenck, Sr., John Schenck,Jr., Cornelius Wickoff, John 
Reading, Sr., Thomas Reading, Rev. Jacob T. Field, 
Alexander Bonnell, Mercy Gray, Mrs. Sarah Hill, Mrs. 
Hannah Gray (these three one pew), Daniel Reading, 
Charles Reading, Isaac Hill, Geo. C. Maxwell, William 
Young, Jacob Young, Christopher Rowe, Joseph Case, 
Thomas Capner, Matthew Lare, Joseph Stillman, Mrs. 
Elijah Carman, George Reading, Christopher Cool, 
Martha Wilson, Edward Wickoff, Elizabeth Griggs, 
William Young, David Bellis, Samuel McNair, John 
Maxwell, John Lee, Abraham Huffman, Isaac Van Dorn, 
Joseph P. Chamberlain, Colonel David Bishop, Arthur 
Schenck. Only four pews were unlet, and of four more 
the half of each was taken. 

The pastoral relation terminated after three years, 
May 4th, 1813, by^the request of Mr. Field. The con- 
crregation parted from him reluctantly, nor had there 
been any failure on their part in supporting him. He 
built the house now ov/ned by Vice-Chancellor Van 
Fleet. The admissions into- the church were on con- 
fession, fifteen ; by certificate, four. The Ruling Elders 
during his pastorate were, Thomas Reading, Isaac Hill, 
Cornelius Williamson, Jonathan Hill, Arthur Schenck. 
The Trustees were, George C. Maxwell, Charles Read- 
ing, John R. Reading, Samuel Hill, Isaac Hill, Arthur 
Schenck, Jonathan Hill. 

Jacob Ten Eyck Field was born in Lamington, N. J., 
October 31st, 1787. Early in life he connected himself 




Rev. JACOB TEN EYCK FIELD, 

I'ASTOR 1810-1813. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 5 1 

with that church. He graduated from the College of 
New Jersey in 1806. He pursued his theological studies 
under Rev. Dr. Woodhull, of Monmouth. He and Dr. 
Kirkpatrick were in college at the same time, and studied 
theology together. He labored as a missionary for sev- 
eral years in and around Stroudsburgh, Pa , before he 
settled in Flemington. After leaving this church, he 
accepted a call to Pompton, N. J., where he remained 
from 18(5 to 1827. From that field he went to the 
Presbyterian Church of Totowa, of which he was pastor 
from 1828-1832. He then became stated supply of the 
churches of Stroudsburgh and Middle Smithfield, Pa., 
until June, 1838, when he was installed pastor. In 1839, 
when fifty-two years of age, he was disabled by a stroke 
of paralysis, from which he never sufficiently recovered 
to resume the work of the ministry, although he lived 
twenty-seven years more. Released from that pastorate 
in 1841, he went to Belvidere, N. J , to live, where he 
died, May 17th, 1866, in his eightieth year. He was 
buried at Shawnee, Pa. He was very intimate with 
Rev. Drs. Kirkpatrick and Studdiford. And they went 
to their reward almost hand in hand. Kirkpatrick died 
May 5th, aged eighty-one; Field on the 17th, and on 
June 5th, Dr. Peter O. Studdiford followed. Mr. Field 
was "a man of fine personal appearance, and was a man 
of good talents and education, and a faithful and pun- 
gent preacher of the Word," says Rev. Dr. D. H. Junkin 
in his Historical Discourse. 

In the autumn of 1813 a call was extended to Rev. 
William McDowell, afterward Dr. McDowell, of Charles- 
ton, S. C, on a salary of $700, w^hich he declined, ac 
cepting a call to Bound Brook. 



52 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

John Flavel Clark was the next pastor. While he 
was a tutor in Princeton College, and was pursuing his 
theological studies under Dr. Ashbel Green, the Presi- 
dent of the College, he received an invitation to become 
stated supply of this congregation for three months ; 
beginning on the third Sabbath in November, 1814, at 
the rate of $600 a year. This resulted in his receiv- 
ing a call to become pastor, and he was ordained and 
installed June 14th, 1815, 

Mr. Clark entered on his ministry here, at a time 
when Christians were bewailing the low state of religion 
and morals all over the land. Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher 
wrote in 1813 : "The crisis has come. By the people of 
this generation, by ourselves probably, the amazing 
question is to be decided, whether the inheritance of 
our fathers is to be preserved or thrown away; whether 
our Sabbath shall be a delight or a loathing; whether 
the taverns, on that holy day, shall be crowded with 
drunkards, or the sanctuary of God with humble wor- 
shippers ; whether riot and profanity shall fill our 
streets, and poverty our dwellings, and convicts our 
jails, and violence our land ; or, whether industry and 
temperance and righteousness shall be the stability of 
our times." 

Various agencies were inaugurated to counteract 
these evils, and these endeavors became the beginning 
of a change, that wrought a transformation in Church 
and State. 

Sabbath-schools were organized rapidly. In Som- 
erville and vicinity there were six in 181 2. One had 
been in existence in New Brunswick since the opening 
of the century. One was begun in Rahway in 1812. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 53 

In 1817, Mr. W. W. Blauvelt was the teacher of the 
academy in the village for nine months. He became 
afterward pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lam- 
ington, where he spent a long and very useful pastorate 
of sixty-two years, from 1826-1888. Mr. Blauvelt was 
brought up in New Brunswick. Mr. Clark's father had 
been pastor of the Presbyterian Church in that city. 
Naturally, therefore, the mind of the pastor and the 
teacher turned toward the religious instruction of neg- 
lected youth. Mr. Blauvelt saw that the blacks were 
not admitted to any of the schools, and were growing 
up in deplorable ignorance. In this community, there 
were prominent persons who were opposed to giving 
them any instruction, regarding them about as beasts of 
burden. Mr. Blauvelt interested several individuals in 
their behalf. A notice was written by him, and sent to 
the churches, announcing that a school would be opened 
for them on Sunday afternoon, in the academy. Sev- 
eral of the trustees, although not a majority, opposed 
this use of the building so earnestly that the request 
was withdrawn, and the school was held on the long 
back porch of Mr. Clark's house (now John L. Jones'). 
There were about twenty, mostly slaves, gathered Sabbath 
afternoon. The next year, 1818, a Sabbath-school was 
organized and held in the academy, a brick building on 
Church Street. The colored persons became a class, 
under the care of Miss Hannah Clark, the only sister of 
the pastor, and who lies buried in our graveyard. The 
school met in the academy for three years, and then 
was removed into the gallery of the church. In winter 
it was brought down around the stoves. This remained 



54 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

a union school until about 1824, when each congrega- 
tion formed its own school. 

This was also the period of the formation of Bible 
Societies. In 1813 the Nassau Hall Bible Society was 
organized, and the Hunterdon County Bible Society in 
1816. The record reads: " Persuant to public notice, 
which had been previously given, a large number of 
respectable inhabitants of Hunterdon County met on 
Thursday the loth day of October, 1816, at the Stone 
Meeting House in Amwell, at Larison's Corner, for the 
purpose of forming a Bible Society. A sermon was 
preached by Rev. Mr. Huntington, of New Brunswick, 
and an address delivered by Rev. Mr. Clark." The 
Society was organized by the election of Samuel L. 
Southard as President, Rev. J. F. Clark as third Vice- 
President, and Peter I. Clark, his brother. Correspond- 
ing Secretary. 

Thus we note that this congregation entered heartily 
into this movement ; and it has ever since been rep- 
resented among the officials; and for many years it has 
been the most liberal benefactor. The first President, 
Mr. Southard, began the practice of law in Flemington, 
in 181 1. He was an active member of the congregation, 
and was President of the Board of Trustees. He built 
the house that was so long the residence of Alexander 
Wurts. He represented this district in the Legislature 
in 1815, but had been in the House only a week, when 
he was placed upon the bench of the Supreme Court, 
although only twenty-eight years old. He afterwards 
became one of the most distinguished men in this 
State, and had a national reputation, as United States 
Senator, and Secretary of the Navy under Presidents 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 55 

Monroe and John Ouincv Adams. He was Vice-Presi- 
dent from 1841 to his death in 1842. He u^as a man 
of genius and eloquence. He removed to Trenton in 
1817, where he became an active member of the congre- 
gation of the first Presbyterian Church. In 1837 he de- 
livered a remarkable address before the societies of 
Princeton College, on the importance of the study of the 
Bible, in forming the character of men in all profes- 
sions. 

During this period also the public conscience was 
agitated over the evils of slavery. In 181 8, the General 
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church made its famous 
deliverance upon that question, in which occurs this 
emphatic language : •' It is the duty of all Christians to 
use their honest, earnest, and unw'earied endeavors to 
correct the errors of former times, and, as speedily as 
possible, to efface this blot on our holy religion, and to 
obtain the complete abolition of slavery." That report 
was penned by Dr. Ashbel Green, at that time President 
of Princeton College. In his autobiography, page 417, 
he states: "I penned the minute on the subject of 
slavery, which is yet referred toby those that are hostile 
to African slavery." Probably his great influence in 
this State contributed very largely to the act of the 
Legislature, which was passed February 24th, 1820, which 
gave freedom to every child born of slave parents, sub- 
sequent to July 4th, 1804, the males on arriving at the age 
of twenty-five, and the females at twenty-one. In 1810 
the number of slaves was 10,851. Under the operation 
of this act, slavery gradually disappeared from the State 
of New Jersey. 

Also, the eyes of the people were opened to the awful 



56 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

gulf to which the drinking habits of the day were 
hurrying thousands. In 1812 the General Assembly of 
the Presbyterian Church made a deliverance : " Not only 
against actual intemperance, but against all those habits 
and indulgences which may have a tendency to produce 
it." A "Society for the Suppression of Intemperance," 
was formed in Boston in 1813. The Presbytery of 
Newton, on October 8th, 181 8, " resolved, that, whenever 
the people where we meet provide us dinner at a public 
house, we request them to put no ardent spirits upon 
the table." This church was then connected with that 
Presbytery, which had been formed the previous year. 
The Rev. Dr. Ferris, Pastor of the Dutch Reformed 
Church, in New Brunswick, sounded a vigorous alarm 
in 182 1 ; and the General Synod of that denomination 
appointed a day of fasting and prayer, and required 
each minister to preach a sermon on the evil. 

This region was astir in all good movements, guided 
and encouraged by Presbytery. Associations were 
formed within the bounds of the Presbytery, for the 
suppression of vice and immorality, especially Sabbath 
breaking. New prayer-meetings were established. 
Catechetical instruction received increased attention. 
In compliance with the recommendation of the General 
Assembly of 1S15, monthly prayer-meetings were in- 
stituted, and were soon found in every neighborhood. 
Presbytery recommended, in October of that year, the 
formation of classes of young people to recite from the 
Holy Scriptures. This was generally complied with. 

Mr. Clark entered with all his heart into this work, 
and endeavored to infuse deeper spirituality among the 
members of the church. Together with a band of 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY, 57 

earnest and devout disciples, he held prayer-meetings 
from house to house, and in the neighborhoods all 
around the village ; also Sabbath-schools were estab- 
lished wherever a suitable place could be obtained in 
those districts. The Session in October, 1817, "consid- 
ering the low state of religion and the worldliness of 
professors," set apart a day to be observed as a day of 
humiliation, fasting, and prayer ; and recommended the 
congregation to observe the same, praying for the out- 
pouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church. This was 
repeated in January, 1820, and again in January, 1822 ; 
also in October of that same year, when nine were 
added on confession. The Session kept a strict watch 
over the members, endeavoring to reconcile parties who 
were at variance. Applications for the baptism of in- 
fants were required to be made to the Session, who de- 
cided upon each case. (See minutes of Session, January 
22d, 1818, and January nth, 1823.) When Presbytery 
met in 1818, in Flemington, it encouraged the formation 
of societies to suppress vice, and measures to discourage 
the use of ardent spirits, and recommended to the min- 
isters and elders to refrain from offering these to 
occasional visitors. The effect of all these measures and 
labors was soon visible upon the congregation. The 
attendance increased ; additions were made at every 
communion, with few exceptions. In some years the 
accessions were large. In 18 16, on confession, fourteen 
were added, and eleven in 1818. In 1823, eighteen, 
and twenty-four in 1829, 

This church continued to enjoy the exclusive services 
of Mr. Clark until 1820. But the last four years had 
been a season of severe financial depression. The whole 



58 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

country was poor. Money was scarce. In the summer 
of 1 816 there were frost and ice every month. Nearly 
all the crops failed. An extensive emigration to Ohio 
was the consequence. Farmers in this region had 
little to sell ; and their produce was carried a long dis- 
tance, and then the price obtained was small. More and 
more the congregation felt its inability to continue the 
whole support of Mr. Clark. Arrearages now amounted 
to $580, a whole year's salary and more. So thoughts 
were turned toward a union with the old Amwell Church, 
near Reaville, or Greenville, as then it was called. In 
December, 1819, an overture was sent by the Fleming- 
ton congregation proposing a union with that church, 
which had been without a pastor about a year. A com- 
mittee was appointed to confer with a similar committee 
from that church, should one be appointed. Such a 
committee was appointed in two weeks. On the 3rd of 
January following, the two committees met, and unani- 
mously resolved to unite the congregations under one 
pastor, upon an equal footing. When this report was 
laid before the old church it was resolved, as a condition 
to the union, that Mr. Clark should resign, and the two 
congregations elect a new pastor. This part the Flem- 
ington congregation promptly declined. A few weeks 
later and this church held its annual meeting, April, 
1820. It was then stated, that "if a proposition should 
now be made to unite with the First Amwell, probably 
a union of the two congregations could be consummated. 
Whereupon it was resolved that this congregation will 
consent to unite with the First Amwell in supporting 
Mr. Clark, and will pay one-half the salary for one-half 
his time. Each congregation to pay $350." Commit- 



FLEMINGTGN, NEW JERSEY. 59 

tees were appointed by each congregation ; which, after 
several meetings and much discussion, finally agreed 
upon a plan, which was adopted by each party. A call 
was made by each for half the time of Mr. Clark. He 
was to preach one Sabbath in one church, and the next 
Sabbath in the other. Each should pay $325 ; and this 
arrangement was to continue three years. It did — and 
at the expiration of that time, it was renewed for three 
years more, and at the close of those years for three ad- 
ditional. Two services were held with an hour intermis- 
sion. On the Sabbaths when there was no service here, 
as many as could went to the old church. On com.- 
munion Sabbaths, the members of the two churches, as 
far as possible, assembled about one table, in whichever 
church the service was held. But evidently this arrange- 
ment was unfavorable for the growth of the congrega- 
tion. The wonder is that the field was held as well as 
it was. 

About the time this union was formed Abraham 
Williamson, a member of this church, entered the 
Gospel ministry. He was the son of Cornelius William- 
son, who was ordained an elder of this church in 181 1. 
He graduated from Princeton College in 1818, and from 
the Seminary in 1821. He went as missionary to Illinois, 
when no Presbyterian minister as yet had settled in that 
State. In 1823 he became pastor of the Presbyterian 
Church of Chester, in this State, where he remained in 
the constant and faithful discharge of his duties until 
1853. He then thought he was too old to preach, but a 
rest of three years seemed only to quicken his desire to 
return to the pastorate, and then at the age of sixty- 
seven years he took charge, as stated supply, of the 



6o HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

Presbyterian Church of Mt. Freedom. Here he re- 
mained ten years. He died June 19th, 1869, aged 
seventy-nine years. He lived a calm, quiet, godly, useful 
life. 

For almost sixteen years this union between the 
churches existed harmoniously. And then, on March 4th, 
1836, a communication was received from the mother 
church, expressing the kindest feeling and grateful re- 
membrances of the pleasant associations of the past 
four years ; but stating that, in their judgment, the 
time had come when the interests of each congregation 
would be best served, by a discontinuance of the exist- 
ing relation ; that they desired the constant services of 
one pastor, and that intimations had been received, that 
many of the Flemington congregation were desirous of 
the same benefit ; and they requested that the union, 
which had so long and so happily existed, might be dis- 
solved at the approaching meeting of Presbytery, in 
April. For four years previously this feeling, which now 
took shape, had been forming and increasing in each 
congregation so that the desire for a termination of 
the union was not a sudden impulse on either side, nor 
did it grow out of any friction between them. Each 
desired to have services every Sabbath. On the 9th of 
the same month this congregation met, and concurred 
in the request. On the 21st the congregation again met, 
and made out a call for Mr. Clark, on a salary of $500. 
A call was also extended to him by the old church. 
Both these calls were presented to Presbytery, at its 
meeting, April 27th, 1836. He accepted the call from 
the other church, and his relations to this ceased. He 
remained, however, only a few months pastor of the 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 6 I 

First Amweli Church, for on the 27th of December that 
relation terminated, that he might accept a call to the 
First Presbyterian Church of Paterson. In this posi- 
tion he remained six years, and then accepted a call to 
the Presbyterian Church at Oyster Bay, L. I., where he 
stayed only a year, not feeling at home among the 
Quakers, who composed a large part of the population. 
He then was settled over the Presbyterian Church of 
Fishkill village, Dutchess County, N. Y., where he 
labored eight years, and died at the age of sixty-nine, 
in 1853. 

John Flavel Clark was the eldest of three sons of 
Dr. Joseph Clark, who was pastor of the First Presby- 
terian Church, New Brunswick, N. J., from 1796 to his 
death, in 1813. John graduated from Princeton College 
in 1807, holding rank among the first scholars in his 
class. He was engaged, for some time after graduation, 
in teaching in the State of Georgia. He commenced 
the study of Divinity at Andover in 1810, and was ac- 
quainted with Newell, Mills and Judson, those pioneers 
in the cause of foreign missions. He remained about 
fifteen months, until September, 181 1. Before his course 
was completed, he was chosen tutor at Princeton, and 
held that position three years, still pursuing his theo- 
logical studies under Dr. Green, the President of the 
College. From this position he was called to Fleming- 
ton. "Many here will remember his large, portly frame, 
his pleasant beaming countenance, his genial companion- 
ship, his exhaustless fund of anecdote, his kindly gen- 
erous heart, his clear, loud, and commanding voice, his 
impressive appearance and solemn manner in the pul- 
pit. He was a good preacher and a good man. Some 



62 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

were of opinion that his wonderful powers of wit and 
anecdotal conversation impaired his usefulness ; but so 
far as my observation extended, this power was kept 
under the restraint of good taste and piety, and whilst 
it made him the life of the social circle, I never saw it 
interfere with the graver duties of his ministry." So 
spake his old friend, Rev. Dr. D. H. Junkin in a His- 
torical Discourse, 1867. Soon after Mr. Clark became 
pastor of this church, his brother Peter I. Clark made 
this town his home ; and here he lived, a prominent 
lawyer, until'his death in 1863. His memory was long 
and lovingly cherished. He was elected an elder in 1857. 
His widow died here August, 1891, at the advanced age of 
ninetv-six. 

During the pastorate of Mr. Clark, of twenty-one 
years, 127 united with this church on confession, and 
twenty by certificate. Elders elected, Jeptha Arrison, 
Paul Kuhl, Christopher Cool, John Trimmer. Trustees, 
Thomas Gordon, William P. Young, Andrew Van Fleet, 
William Maxwell, David P. Shrope, William Williamson, 
Daniel Marsh, Nathaniel Saxton, Joseph Reading, George 
Risler, John F. Schenk, M.D., Neal Hart, Elisha R. 
Johnson, Alexander Wurts, George Maxwell, Robert K. 
Reading, Paul Kuhl, Christopher Cool, Henry M. Kline, 
Cornelius Williamson, John Trimmer, Thatcher Prall. 
Leonard P. Kuhl, Charles Bartles, John Griggs. 

The twenty-one years of Mr. Clark's pastorate were 
eventful to this town. I have previously described the 
introduction of moral and religious agencies. It may 
not be amiss to record some events, which form a part 
of the history of the town. 




Rev. JOHN FLAVEL CLARK, 

PASTOR 1815-1836. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 6^ 

The interior of the Presbyterian Church, and its sur- 
rounding, had been somewhat improved. In 1827 a new 
pulpit was put in. The old one was of the wine-glass 
style, so long prevalent. It was a small hexagon, only 
large enough for one person. It stood on a high pillar, 
with a sounding board over it. The new one was also 
well up, and approached by winding stairs. The time- 
honored slab benches in the gallery, which did service 
down stairs years before their elevation, were now re- 
moved, and rows of seats presented a more comely ap- 
pearance. The congregation was divided into four dis- 
tricts, and a collector appointed to each. A sum of 
money had been left by Martin C. Johnson, whose an- 
cestors and family were buried here, for the purpose of 
enclosing the graveyard. This led, in 1833, to an en- 
largement of the yard, by the addition of land purchased 
at $80 an acre, and the next year the whole plot was en- 
closed. 

During this period the Baptist Church had made 
great progress. In May, 181 2, Rev. Charles Bartolette 
became the pastor. For six years he devoted his whole 
time to that charge. Then, in r8i8, a colony was con- 
stituted into a new church at Sandy Ridge, and for 
fourteen years he divided his labors between the two. 
In 1832 the growth of the church in Flemington de- 
manded his entire time, and a separation took place. 
This fact probably had much influence in creating a con- 
viction among the Presbyterians, that the time had come 
for them to possess the full and exclusive services of a 
pastor. In 1836 the Baptist congregation determined to 
erect a new house of worship. This was built on the lot 
occupied by the present structure. Within two years 



64 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

after occupying the house, a blessed revival occurred, as 
a result of which 100 were added to their membership, 
fifty-four on one Sabbath. The Sunday-school was 
formed in 1830. Charles George was the first Superin- 
tendent. Most of the teachers belonged to the Black- 
well family, for many years prominent and useful in 
this town. 

One Sunday morning in 1822, the Rev. Mr. Clark 
stated that he had been requested, by persons calling 
themselves Methodists, to announce that a meeting 
would be held by them that afternoon in the court- 
house. The men who proposed this were David and 
Isaac James, brothers and local preachers from Trenton. 
Asher Atkinson, a Quaker, was instrumental in secur- 
ing them. Popular opinion was divided whether they 
should be allowed to have the court-room for that pur- 
pose. The sheriff, how^ever, gave his consent, and the 
meeting was held. The next year, Flemington was 
made a regular appointment on the Trenton Circuit. 
A camp-meeting held in the neighborhood, and the first 
in this vicinity, resulted in a large addition to that 
church. And the first class meeting met in the old 
Fleming house on Academy Street. In the spring of 

1824, the question of a church edifice was agitated. This 
resulted in the erection of a building, which is now use- 
ed as stores and flats. It was designated as on the corner 
adjourning Charles Bonnell's tavern. The lot was 
purchased of Mr. Thomas Capner for the nominal sum 
of $50. The building was commenced in the autumn of 

1825, and completed in the spring of 1826. 

The court-house was burned Wednesday night, 
February 13th, 1828. In the morning all that remained 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 65 

were the walls, and a few smoking timbers. The 
prisoners were transferred to the jail in Somerville. 
Fortunately the county records were saved. The courts 
were held in the Methodist Church until the present 
court-house was finished. The corner-stone was laid 
Wednesday, May 7th, 1828. Within that stone was en- 
closed a Bible, among other documents. 

Immediately after the court-house was burned, astren- 
uous effort was made to have the county-seat removed to 
Lambertville, Indeed for several years previously the 
inhabitants of that village, as it then w^as, circulated 
petitions for such a removal. They had succeeded in 
securing the signatures of a large number of persons 
advocating this measure. They presented these peti- 
tions to the Legislature. A bill favorable to the meas- 
ure was reported, but it was finally withdrawn. The de- 
struction of the county buildings furnished a most favor- 
able opportunity for renewing the project ; and again 
the application was pressed upon the Legislature. This 
bill, which provided that an election should be held to 
determine the location of the county-seat, was opposed 
by a long and vigorous remonstrance, and was negatived 
in the House on Wednesday, March 5th, and, on the fol- 
lowing Monday, the Board of Freeholders took steps to 
w^ards the erection of the court-house and jail. 

On the 23rd of March, 1825, appeared the Hunterdon 
Gazette^ the first newspaper published in Flemington 
and in what is now the county of Hunterdon. It was 
a non-partisan sheet, edited by Charles George. The 
subscription price was $2 a year. On May 2nd, 1832, 
the paper w^as discontinued, but it was revived in June, 
1838, by John S. Brown. He changed the paper to a 



66 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

Whig organ. It was owned and conducted in turn by 
John H. Swallow, Henry C. Buffington, Willard Nichols, 
Alexander Suydam, J. Rutsin Schenk, who sold it to 
Charles Tomlinson July, 1866. He changed its name to 
The Democrat ; and after publishing fifty-one numbers, 
merged it into The Hunterdon County Democrat^ which he 
had purchased meantime. 

The first number of The Hunterdon County Democrat 
appeared September 5th, 1838. The feeling then ran 
high between the two parties. The Gazette was more 
and more inclined to the Whigs. And so the establish- 
ment of a Democratic paper became a political necessity. 
The proprietor was G. C. Seymour, and the price was 
^2 a year. In September, 1S49, Edmund Perry became 
editor and proprietor, and remained until January, 1854, 
when Adam Bellis became part owner. He continued 
to have the charge of it, as manager and editor, until 
July, 1866, when it passed into the hands of Dr. 
Nightingale, who managed it until July, 1867, when it 
and the Gazette became one paper. After the death of 
Mr. Tomlinson, in 1875, the paper became the property 
of Robert J. Killgore, in whose hands it still remains. 

At the close of this period we are reviewing, the 
only mining operations which have existed in Fleming- 
ton had their inception. Before the Revolution copper 
mines had been operated in this neighborhood. There 
were evidences of this on the farm now owned by 
George Van Sinderen, about a mile and a half south of 
Flemington, and on the farm now owned by O. B. Davis. 
In opening one of the old shafts on the latter, the miners 
came upon some mining tools, such as wedges and picks, 
and an oak bucket of about two bushels capacity, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 67 

Strongly bound with iron. They found an irregular 
chamber, about fifteen feet square, from which they be- 
lieved copper ore had been taken. So confident were 
many persons that valuable deposits of ore existed, that 
in 1825, a petition was sent to the Legislature asking for 
the formation of a mining company. The company 
was not organized until 1836, and was called the Ne- 
^hanic Mining Company. They bought the farm for 
$3150. The incorporators were Hugh Capner, John 
H. Capner, W. H. Sloan, Samuel Hill, and Joseph Case. 
The capital was f 100,000, looo shares. By a supple- 
ment to their charter, they increased the number of 
shares to 15,000; and secured the privilege of building 
a railroad to the nearest point on the South Branch, 
and Delaware rivers respectively, but to be used only 
for purposes connected with the mining operations. 
The project failed and was abandoned. 

But the mining excitement broke out afresh, when in 
digging the cellar of the house now owned by Captain 
John Shields, good copper ore was found. Hugh 
Capner, who ov/ned the land, sold it for $35,000 ; 
and on February 24th, 1847, the " Flemington Copper 
Company" was chartered. During the following years 
several companies were formed which purchased adja- 
cent tracts of land, supposed to contain copper. Money 
was expended in sinking shafts. At the Minebrook 
property a large sum of money was expended in an en- 
gine-house, steam engine of 200 horse power, three 
pumps, crushing and jigging machinery, large brick 
house, eight miners' houses, a carpenter's and black- 
smith's shop, tools, etc. At times the mine was worked 
with great energy, and then operations almost 



68 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

ceased, until it was sold by the Sheriff, October 31st, 
1862. It passed from one purchaser to another, until 
October 24th, 1866, the property was sold lo John 
Moses, and has not been worked since. Mr. Elias Vos- 
seller of this town has written a full history of these 
mines, from which the above facts have been obtained. 
It was published in The Jersyman, vol. i., April, 1891. 
Undoubtedly copper exists, but it cannot be mined at a 
profit. " The ore is that variety known as gray cupric 
sulphide. In color it is a dark lead gray. Specimens 
are sometimes found that polish readily by rubbing 
them with a woollen cloth." Cornelius W. Larison, in 
Geology of Hunterdon County. 

Several lesser, yet interesting, events may not be out 
of place in this narrative just here : 1826 was the fiftieth 
year of our national independence. The 4th of July of 
that year was celebrated with great enthusiasm all over 
the country. Nor was Flemington lagging in her ex- 
pression of patriotic devotion. The day was ushered in 
by ringing the court bell, the display of the national 
flag, and by a salute of fifty guns. A procession was 
formed at the house of N. Price, consisting of cavalry, 
and infantry, and citizens. Among them were thirteen 
ladies dressed in white, to represent the thirteen origi- 
nal States, and eleven misses, to represent the eleven new 
States. At the court-house, the survivors of the Revo- 
lutionary army, of whom there were forty-six, joined 
the procession, which then proceeded to the Presbyte- 
rian Church. The services consisted of singing, prayer 
by Rev. J. F. Clark, reading of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence by Alexander Wurts, and an oration by 
Andrew Miller. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 69 

From 1825-30, the village had two military 
companies. A uniform infantry company, commanded 
by Captain Voorhees, and a troop of cavalry, commanded 
by Captain Case. In 1830, there was a parade of the 
Hunterdon brigade of militia, which was a noteworthy 
occasion. The brigade was composed of four regiments 
of infantry, and several troops of cavalry. Military 
companies from adjourning counties were present. 
Governor Vroom,and suite, Major General Stryker and 
suite, graced the occasion with their presence. 

January 17th, 1828, a public meeting was held to con- 
sider the question of turnpiking the streets and improv- 
ing the side walks. The first side walk was laid by 
Charles Bartles, in 1833, in front of his residence. The 
pottery works were established by Samuel Hill, about 
1816, and have been in operation ever since. At the 
time when efforts were made to elevate the moral tone 
of the county, vigilance societies were formed, and 
associations to prevent crime. In 1824 the " Flemington 
Vigilant Society " was in existence ; and under one form 
or another continued until 1870. Similar associations 
were formed at that early day in different parts of the 
county. In 1828 Flemington had three mails weekly 
from New York, Philadelphia and Trenton. 

And now we return to the history of the church. 
April 19th, 1837, Rev. J. M. Olmstead was installed. 
There were then 109 members on the roll. He entered 
vigorously upon his duties ; and the growth of the 
church confirmed the wisdom of having the entire ser- 
vices of a pastor. Under his ministry the church was 
blessed with several seasons of religious interest. At 
one communion, in 1S42. thirty-four united on con- 



7© HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

fession. October i6th, 183Q, the Presbytery of Raritan 
was formed ; and this church was transferred to it 
from the Presbytery of Newton, with which it had been 
connected since the formation of that Presbytery in 
1818. The first meeting of the new Presbytery was held 
in Flemington, November 5th, 1839, for organization ; 
and also the last, in May, 1869 ; in which year that 
Presbytery was dissolved, and divided among the ad- 
joining Presbyteries. 

In the summer of 1844 a lecture room was erected, 
27)^x37^ feet. This building stood on the south 
side of the street running from the main street 
eastward, between the Hopewell building and the 
drug store of Mr. Cooley. It was very much needed 
for the Sunday-school, and for evening meetings, 
being in the centre of the town. This building was 
used for these purposes until 1870, when it was 
sold. The lot was the gift of William H. Sloan, 
who at that time was a distinguished member of the 
New Jersey bar. He was the oldest child of the Rev. 
William B. Sloan, who was pastor of the Presbyterian 
Church of Greenwich from 1798-1834. Mr. Sloan came 
to Flemington to study law in the office of Peter I. Clark, 
and was admitted to practise in 1821. He died greatly 
beloved, January 21st, 1850. 

Mr. Olmstead built the house, which is now the par- 
sonage. In October, 1847, he sent a letter to Presbytery, 
stating that on account of feeble health he would be un- 
able to preach for several months. The ministers of 
Presbytery offered to give a Sabbath, and thus supply 
the pulpit ; and an appointment was accordingly made 
for every other Sabbath. In April, 184S, the Presbyterial 




Rev. JAMES MUNSON OLMSTEAD, 

I'ASTOR 1837-1849. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 7 1 

Narrative of the State of Religion refers to a law 
recently enacted, that taverns should be closed on Sun- 
day, and declares that the law was generally observed. 
The tavern which stood near to the church was open on 
Sunday ; nor was it uncommon for church members 
to stop and get a drink before going home. Although 
Mr. Olmstead's health improved under this rest, he soon 
became satisfied that his strength was not adequate to 
the work of the parish. He resigned, and the pastoral 
relation ceased November ist, 1849. He was a man of 
decision and independence. Fie expressed his views 
boldly. As a preacher he was able, instructive, and 
often pungent. He was a devout man, walking closely 
with God. He was a diligent student, and the 
author of several books on religious subjects. " Thoughts 
and Counsels for the Impenitent," published in 1846, 
was a popular book, and reached the third edition. 
" Our First Mother" is an attractive work, written in the 
form of lectures, given by a pious and intelligent woman 
to her daughters and nieces. His third book, '' Noah 
and His Times," published in 1854, received very favor- 
able commendations. 

James Munson Olmstead was born at Stillwater, 
N. Y., February 17th, 1794. He entered Union College, 
in 1816, and graduated in 1819. His theological course 
was pursued at Princeton Seminary, from which he 
graduated in 1822. He then served as an itinerant 
home missionary, for several years, in New York. From 
the first a feeble constitution hampered him. Thinking 
his health might be improved by a residence in the 
South, he spent the winter of 1824 in Virginia. June, 



72 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

1825, he was ordained and installed pastor of the 
churches of Landisburg and Centre, Pa., where he la- 
bored for seven years. In 1834 he accepted a call to 
Middle Tuscarora Church, Pa., in which he remained 
until he came to Flemington. Afterleavingthischurch,he 
removed to Snow Hill, on the eastern shore of Maryland, 
where he preached for several years ; and then, in 1854, 
he made Philadelphia his residence. Here he remained 
in comparative retirement, although taking an active 
interest in all the movements within the church, until, 
on Sabbath, the i6th of October, 1870. he entered into 
that rest which remains for the people of God. 

During his pastorate, lor united with this church on 
confession, and 40 by certificate. Elders elected were 
Daniel Marsh, Mahlon Smith, John Griggs, Cornelius 
Williamson, Leonard P. Kuhl, William P. Emery. Trus- 
tees, William G. Kuhl, Samuel Hill, Benjamin S. Holt, 
Joseph P. Boss, Augustus Frisbie, John W. Kline, Peter 
I. Clark, George B. Stothoff, William P. Emery, John 
Chapman, James N. Reading, William H. Sloan, Peter 
N. Burk, and Edward R. Bullock. 

In the Baptist Church, Rev. Mr. Bartolette resigned 
in April, 1846, after a very successful ministry of thirty- 
four years, during which he had received into the 
church more than 400 persons* He was buried in the 
Sandy Ridge graveyard. He was followed by Clarence 
W. Mulford, who remained only two and a half years, 
on account of failing health. During the pastorate of 
Mr. Bartolette two colonies were sent out, one in i8r8 to 
form the Sandy Ridge church, and another in 1838, which 
became the Baptist Church of Wertsville. 

The working of the copper mines brought a number 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 73 

of Irish miners, some of whom made this their per- 
manent home. These, being mostly Roman Catholics, 
soon sought the services of their church, which were 
held occasionally from 1847 to April 1848. Mining was 
then suspended, and, as the miners left the place, services 
were discontinued until 1853. That year Flemington 
was included in the Lambertville parish, and a priest 
visited Flemington once a month for four years. Mass 
was celebrated at the residences of members. The in- 
creased numbers encouraged the building of a church, 
which was begun in 1859. Its dimensions were twenty- 
four feet by thirty-four. In September, 1879, the corner- 
stone of the present edifice was laid, and the church 
was consecrated on December 21st by Bishop Corrigan. 
The building is 37 x 66 feet, and cost nearly $4000. 

The Presbyterian Church was vacant one year, when, 
on the 29th of October, 1850, Rev. John L. Janeway was 
installed. Rev. Dr. Kirkpatrick presided, and gave the 
charge to the pastor ; Rev. S. F. Porter preached the 
sermon ; Rev. J. H. Stevenson gave charge to the people. 
Dr. Janeway was called on a salary of $700, which after- 
wards was raised to $1000. The members of the church 
numbered 163. The congregation had now grown, so 
that all desiring seats could not be accommodated. 
The building also needed repairs. In 1848 a committee 
had been appointed to examine what alterations and 
repairs were necessary. A report was made, but no 
further steps were taken. Committees were appointed 
and reports made for several years, but nothing definite 
was undertaken until in March, 1852, when an architect 
was employed to make an estimate of the cost of repair- 
ing ; of the expense of an addition ; and of an entire new 



74 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

building. That estimate stated the cost of repairs would 
be $2363; of an enlargement, $2435; total of enlarge- 
ment and repairs, $4498. A new building would cost 
$6650. The next year, 1853, a subscription was opened 
for a new house. But little was accomplished, so that 
at the meeting of the congregation, the next April, the 
committee was continued. Progress was checked by a 
desire to have the church located in a central part of 
the town. Finally it was determined to build on the 
present site ; and additional land was purchased of 
William R. Bellis, lying on the east side of the church 
lot, at the extreme southern point of which stood a 
tavern, just where the front entrance now opens. And 
thus the church came in possession of the large triangle 
which now constitutes our churchyard. The land ex- 
tended south of the present entrance, and came to a 
point just beyond the Soldiers' Monument. The build- 
ing stood just where the present structure is The di- 
mensions were 56 x 90 feet. 

The walls were stone covered with piaster. The in- 
terior was frescoed. A choir gallery extended across 
the front, and over the vestibule. There were no win- 
dows at either end. The building committee were: 
A, J. Holcombe, Hugh Capner, J. C. Hopewell, A. V. 
Bonnell, William P. Emery. The corner-stone was laid 
Tuesday, June 3d, 1S56, and the church was dedicated 
Thursday, May 14th, 1857, which was a very stormy 
day. The sermon was preached by Prof. William H. 
Green, of Princeton Theological Seminary. The cost 
was a little over §11, oco, which was made up by sub- 
scriptions and sale of pews. The same year, 1857, an 
additional acre was purchased from Mahlon Smith for 




Dhdicated May 14TH, 1857. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 75 

200, and the graveyard was brought to its present 
area. In November of that year, the present method of 
holding four celebrations of the Lord's Supper yearly 
was introduced; previously that sacrament had been ob- 
served once in six months. In 1859 a melodeon was in- 
troduced and $100 appropriated to pay the player. In 
1867 an organ was purchased which cost $1500. At 
first the singing was led by a precentor. Colonel Peter 
I. Clark for sixteen years had charge of the choir, up to 
1857, when he resigned. His services were gratuitous. 

The congregation increased in numbers and influence 
during the ministry of Dr. Janeway. There were 
constant accessions to the Church. In 1852 a religious 
awakening was the means of bringing thirty-six into 
the membership upon confession. Again, in 1866, 
twenty-one were added on confession. Dr. Janeway 
manifested a deep interest, and took an active part in 
all that appertained to the welfare of the town. In him 
the poor always had a sympathizing helper, and toward 
every good cause he was a generous contributor. The 
exposures of the camp, while he was Chaplain, produced 
disease, and he was compelled to return home for a few 
weeks. Although he seemed to recover, his constitution 
was undermined, and more and more he felt himself 
unable to meet the demands of his parish, and in 
November, 1868, he resigned, after a pastorate of eigh- 
teen years. 

John L. Janeway was the son of Jacob J. Janeway, 
D.D , a prominent divine in our Church. He was born 
in Philadelphia, April 21st, 1815. He graduated at 
Rutgers College in 1835. He then engaged in mercan- 
tile pursuits in New York for two years. Entering the 



76 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, he took a full 
course, and was licensed by that Classis in 1840. He 
served as stated supply to the churches of Media and 
Ridley, in Delaware County, Pa., until 1843, when 
he was settled over the Dutch Reformed Church 
at Montville, X. J., where he remained seven years 
and a half, until called to Flemington. The degree 
of D.D. was conferred upon him by Lafayette College 
in 1866. 

Dr. Janeway has resided in Philadelphia since his 
resignation, because his health has not permitted him to 
assume the care of a congregation. During the 
pastorate of Dr. Janeway 154 were added on confession, 
and 116 by certificate. Elders elected were Peter I. 
Clark, John Kershow, John Y. Yard, Peter I. Nevius, 
George B. Stothoff. Trustees elected : Charles Bartles, 
Peter I. Clark, John G. Reading, George B. Stothoff, 
William B. Kuhl, Peter I. Nevius, Richard Emmons. 

The eighteen years which covered Dr. Janeway's 
pastorate brought many and valuable improvements to 
the town. 

First among these was the opening of a railroad to 
Lambertville. The right of way was purchased in 1853. 
The tract was graded, ties and rails were laid, and a 
train run in 1854. The success of this enterprise was 
mainly due to the influence and energy of Mr. Charles 
Bartles, who was then engaging in large transactions. 

In 1859 gas was introduced into the village. In this 
undertaking Mr. John C. Hopewell was foremost. He 
had removed to Flemington, in 1854, having retired 
from business carried on in Philadelphia. Mr. Bartles 
was more interested to supply the town with good water. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 77 

He insisted that the well water was more or less im- 
pregna-ted with copper. He and Mr. Hopewell united 
their forces, and the year after the completion of the 
gas works, water was introduced, in i860. So far back 
as 1808 water was brought, in wooden logs bored 
through the centre, from springs on the property now 
occupied by Robert Thatcher. There were two fire 
plugs, one at the court-house, and the other just north 
of the Presbyterian Church. They were greatly out of 
repair in 1822, and they had been neglected, so that for 
years previous to 1859, the town was without an ade- 
quate supply of water in every dry season. 

The '' Flemington Water Company " purchased 
springs about two miles west of the town, and brought 
the water in iron pipes to a reservoir on Mullins Hill. 
This supply did not meet the wants of the people, es- 
pecially in the dry season, and in 1880 a connection with 
the South Branch was made, from which water is 
pumped into the enlarged reservoir. 

The first bank was the Hunterdon County Bank or- 
ganized in 1854, under the general banking laws of the 
State. Afterwards it received a special charter from the 
Legislature. It was thus continued until May, 1865, 
when it became a national bank. Isaac G. Farlee 
was the first president. The Flemington National Bank 
was chartered April, 1876. 

The Presidential Campaign of 1856 found the rising 
Republican party without a newspaper, to represent its 
principles in Hunterdon County. A stock company was 
formed, and the Hunterdon Republican was established. 
On October 15th, 1856, the first number was issued, 
Thomas E. Bartow being the editor. He continued in 



78 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

that position until the autumn of 1862, when he was 
succeeded by George A. Allen. He retired from his 
editorial position in 1872, leaving it to the sole control 
of William G. Callis, who is now the proprietor and edi- 
tor. August 17th, 1864, the steam fire engine was 
brought to town. It was purchased by the individuals, 
whose names are recorded on a plate, on the engine. 

"On September 6th, 1849, Levi G. Beck became pastor 
of the Baptist Church. Immediately thereafter a third 
colony of fifty-nine members went out to constitute the 
Church at Cherryville."* He remained two years, and 
then Thomas Swain was called, in the spring of 1851. 
He remained until the ist of April, 1867. For 
several years previous to this date, the question had 
been discussed, whether enlarged accommodations 
should be provided, or a second church be formed in 
town. It was finally decided to erect a new and larger 
house of worship ; and in July, 1867, the trustees were 
directed to proceed at once toward the building, which 
was completed the following year. The first Episcopal 
Church was built in 1841. 

As at the outbreak of the Revolution, this part of 
Hunterdon County was among the first to raise a regi- 
ment of minute men, so the patriotic ardor of their 
descendants here was inflamed, when the tidings came 
that the old flag had been fired upon at Fort Sumpter. 
On April 15th, two days after the fall of that fort, Pres- 
ident Lincoln issued his first call for troops. On the 17th, 
Governor Olden of this State responded by directing all 
persons willing to volunteer to report within twenty 



* Historical Sermon by T. E. Vassor, D.D, 



FLKMINGTON, NEW JET^SEY. 79 

days. The first offer in this State was made by the ist 
regiment of the Hunterdon Brigade on the day fo/Zow- 
ing the appearance of the Governor's proclamation. 
Flemington responded both with men and money. The 
first company of the brigade was raised in this town 
and vicinity. 

On Saturday evening the 26th of April, 1861, a large 
and enthusiastic meeting was held in the court-house, 
for the purpose of enrolling volunteers. Remarks were 
made by Charles Bartles, Peter I. Clark, Alexander 
Wurts and others ; $6,000 was subscribed for the sup- 
port of the families of the volunteers during their 
absence. A large number were enrolled that evening, 
and early in that following week seventy-eight men had 
volunteered. A. V. Bonneli was elected captain and the 
company began to drill. After the organization of the 
brigade. Captain Bonneli was promoted to Brigade In- 
spector of the State Troops, and a new election for 
officers was held. The following were members of this 
congregation: George A. Allen, Captain ; Martin Wyc- 
koff, Ensign ; John H. Clark, Robert Ramsey, Samuel 
B. Mann, Sergeants ; Lemuel Fisher and A. V. Smith, 
Corporals ; Samuel H. Volk, Drummer. Of the privates 
the following were members of this congregation : 
Henry Stothoff, John F. Schenk, Jr., William D. Clark, 
James O. Eellis, William R. Bellis, A. T. Connet, Peter 
Boss, Ransaleer Runkle, J. R. Wert. 

On Friday evening, April 26th, farewell services were 
held in the Presbyterian Church. An address was made 
to the volunteers, by Dr. Janeway ; and 'the other min- 
isters of the town took part in the exercises. On Sat- 
urday morning the volunteers left for their rendezvous 



8o HISTORY OF IHE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

at Trenton. They were quartered temporarily in the 
Green Street Methodist Church. A prayer-meeting was 
organized by the company, many of whom were pro- 
fessing Christians. Dr. Janeway left on Tuesday, 30th, 
to join the regiment. The manly and neat appearance 
of this company attracted attention in Trenton, and 
wherever they halted. This brigade was the first that 
reached Washington from the North. 

The 5th and 6th regiments contained each one 
company, raised in this county. Of the three months' 
men enlisted, connected with this congregation were 
James O. Beilis, who was Sergeant ; S. W. Dilts, C. 
Merrian, also Jacob Veit and Alexander Sergeant, in the 
9th regiment. 

Two of the companies of the 15th regimicnt came 
from Hunterdon County. The regiment was organized 
at Flemington, during the months of July and August, 
1862, and lay in camp on the Fair Ground. In this 
regiment George R. Sullivan, M.D., went as assistant 
Surgeon. Of Company A, Lambert Boeman was Cap- 
tain ; Sergeants, Manuel Kline and William D. Clark ; 
First Lieutenant, Thomas P. Stout ; Second Lieutenant, 
John R. Emery. Others connected with this congrega- 
tion were William Barber, James Mattison, William H. 
Sloan, Theodore B. Beilis, * James R. Bullock, who 
found a watery grave in the transport, General Lyon, 
Paul Kuhl, and Sergeant Lucian Voorhees, who were 
killed at Spottsylvania Court House. Captain Boeman 
was promoted to Major, and was killed by a bullet-shot 
in his stomach, at the battle of Cedar Creek, October 
19th, 1864. In Company G, Henry S. Crater, First 
Lieutenant. All the above were from this congregation. 




Rev. JOHN L. JANEWAY, D.D., 

I'ASTOK 185O-1868. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 8 1 

Dr. George R. Sullivan was afterwards Commission 
Surgeon of the 39th regiment. William L. Dildine was 
a Corporal of Company B, 38th. Jacob R. Schenk, 
Second Lieutenant Company I, 29th, nine months' men. 
Albert C. Dildine, musician, Company C, 15th, private 
of Company D, 38th. Stewart Bellis, Company D, 31st. 

Under the call of August 4th, 1862, for nine months' 
men, two regiments came from New Jerse}'', the 30th and 
31st. A camp for these was established between the 
Fair Ground and the railroad in September. It was 
named Camp Perrine. In the 30th regiment, two com- 
panies were from Hunterdon, and in the 31st four com- 
panies. Rev. Dr. Janeway was Chaplain of the 30th. 
During his absence the pulpit was supplied by Rev. N. 
L. Upham. In the 31st regiment, Company D., Alex- 
ander V. Bonnell was Captain ; John H. Clark, First 
Lieutenant : afterwards John C. Coon, Andrew T. Con- 
net, Second Lieutenant ; Peter Boss, Sergeant ; R. D. 
Runkle, Corporal ; Samuel Volk, Musician ; J. R. Wert, 
Andrew Bartles, Silas W. Volk, William. D. Spier. 
These were from this congregation. All the other of 
the officers were from the town and vicinity. The pri- 
vate soldiers from this congregation were Andrew J. 
Bellis, Abram W. Boss, John F. Schenk, Francis P. 
Smith, Alexander Sergeant. Most of the other privates 
were from the town and neighborhood. 

When the three months' men set out for Washington, 
a Ladies' Aid Society was organized. This was the re- 
sult of a conference by Mrs. William. Anderson, Mrs. A. 
V. Van Fleet, and Mrs. William P Em.ery. Ladies from 
all the churches heartily joined in the movement. 
Meetings were held weekly in the lecture room of the 



82 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

Presbyterian Church. Miss Elizabeth Blackwell was 
President. A great many garments were made, and 
sent to hospitals, and to the camps ; such as wrap- 
pers, havelocks, flannel shirts, etc. Canned and dried 
fruits, eggs, and provisions were collected from the 
town and surrounding country by committees, and for- 
warded to the Sanitary Commission in Philadelphia. 
The young people also were enthusiastic, and held a fair 
and festival in the court-room, at which $500 were 
cleared, which was sent to George H. Stuart. The 
women also worked at home, making bandages, and 
scraping lint for the wounded. Those were stirring 
days, when patriotic ardor inflamed all hearts ; and to 
care for our soldiers was the one object which engrossed 
all minds. May we never have occasion to engage in a 
War ; but if it come, may the generation that then shall 
be show themselves equal to all demands, as did the 
men and women of thirty years ago. 

On the second day of December, 1868, the present 
pastor, then pastor of the Presbyterian Church in New- 
ton, N. J., received an invitation to preach in the Presby- 
terian Church of Flemington, and to set his own time. 
This invitation was received, before it had been an- 
nounced in the religious papers that Dr. Janeway was 
about to leave, and before th^ pulpit was thrown open. 
The day selected was Sunday, December 20th. This 
proved to be a very stormy day, so that he consented 
to preach again January 17th, 1869. A week later a 
unanimous call was made. I find this entry in my 
journal : "There is material to gather a large church. 
There is wealth enough to carry forward all Church 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 83 

enterprise." The results of twenty-five years prove that 
my judgment was correct. 

On May 4th, 1869, the installation took place. The 
sermon was preached by Rev. P. A Studdiford : Charge 
to the pastor by Rev. Mr. Burroughs : Charge to the 
people by Rev. Dr. Janeway. In the latter part of the 
same month, the Infant School was organized as a sepa- 
rate department of the Sunday-school. For three 
months Mrs. J. L. Janeway was the Principal, assisted by 
Miss S. Hopewell. Since then Miss Hopewell has been 
the only teacher. Beginning with fifteen children, it in- 
creased in a few years to one hundred ; and it has varied 
from that number to seventy-five. It was the first Infant 
School department, meeting in a room by itself, in this 
town. It occupied the lecture room, until the sale of 
that building in 1871. 

At this point, the entire history of our Sabbath- 
school may appropriately be introduced. On page 
38 the origin of the school is narrated. The first 
teacher w^as Miss Hannah Clark. The first Super- 
intendent w^as Daniel Griggs, who held that position 
for three vears, when he removed to Newton, N. J. ; 
where he spent a long life, serving for many years as 
Ruling Elder and Trustee in the Presbyterian Church 
of that town. He was the father of the Hon. John 
Griggs, a prominent lawyer of this State. Mr. Mahlon 
Smith then took the position, which he filled with accept- 
ance. He was an ardent Sunday-school worker, and 
established several Sunday-schools in the vicinity. He 
became an elder in 1838, and remained in that office 
until his death in 1889, at the advanced age of ninety- 
five years and ten months. Mr. Smith loved this church 



84 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

with an ardent attachment that can not be surpassed. 
When the present edifice was in course of construction, 
he often sat upon the stones and timbers, earnestly 
praying that the divine blessing might rest upon the 
undertaking. As an infant in his mother's arms, he was 
present at the laying of the corner-stone of the first ed- 
ifice in 1793 ; and as the aged patriarch, he sat upon 
the platform, at the laying of the corner-stone of the 
present structure, September, 1882. 

Mr. Smith was succeeded by John H. Anderson, but 
on account of his removal to Lambertville, the office 
again devolved on Mr. Smith. Augustus Frisbie was 
then elected to the position. He was succeeded by 
A. G. Richey in 1842, who was then a law student here. 
He remained until January, 1844, when he went to Tren- 
ton, where, until his death, January, 1894, he was a 
superintendent or teacher in Sabbath-schools. He was 
succeeded by William P. Emery, and then Peter I. Clark 
held the position for two years, when again Mr. Emery 
assumed that charge, which he retained until he resigned 
in 1870. Mr. Emery maintained a lively interest in the 
Sabbath-school so long as he lived. This church has 
never had a more earnest and devoted member. He 
served for many years as trustee, and as elder from 1848 
to his death in 1888. In the'last twenty-five years of 
the century of the existence of this church, he occupied 
the important and prominent position, which Jasper 
Smith so honorably filled at its opening. Like that 
trustee and elder, Mr. Emery was for years the largest 
contributor in the church. So long as strength per- 
mitted, he was regularly in his place at the sanctuary 
worship, and in the prayer-meeting. Mr. Emery vvas 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 85 

succeeded by John T. Bird, who resigned in 1872, and 
Elias Vosseller took his place ; he has remained in that 
position, faithfully and acceptably performing its duties. 

The holding of anniversaries was begun in i86g. 
Sunday, October 30th, was the first. 

The Sunday-school held its sessions in the church, 
until 1843, when it was removed to the lecture room. 
In 1869 that room was assigned to the Infant School, 
when the Intermediate School and the Bible Classes 
were transferred to Hopewell Hall, where they met un- 
til P'ebruary, 1879, when both schools were removed to 
a chapel, which was rented of Mr. Peter E. Emery, who 
built it for that purpose. The chapel has since been 
altered into the Flemington Opera House. The old 
lecture room was used for two years by the Infant 
School, when, on the sale of the building, a room was 
rented on the second floor of the building next north of 
Hopewell Hall. In that room also the meetings during 
the week were held. In 1876 it was wanted for business 
purposes, and then the Infant School and the prayer- 
meetings were transferred to the church. And there 
they were held until the erection of the chapel 
mentioned above. 

On the 19th of December, 1869, a sermon was 
preached by the pastor on Total Abstinence, in com- 
pliance with the order of the General Assembly. This 
was followed by an awakened interest on that subject, 
which resulted in greatly strengthening the Lodge of 
'^ The Sons of Temperance," an organization which then 
extended over the whole country, and was productive of 
great good. In one month over fifty men joined the 
Lodge in this town. At the opening of 1870, an in- 



86 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

creased interest began to appear in the church services, 
which led to the holding of extra meetings during the 
week. A service for the children was also held, two 
afternoons in the week. These were largely attended. 
Among the adults there were several cases of deep and 
pungent conviction. As the result, forty-three united 
with the church on confession, on the last Sabbath of 
February. Of these twenty-five were baptized. This 
large addition, the largest on confession at one time in 
the history of the church, greatly quickened the mem- 
bership, and strengthened the congregation. During 
that year sixty-six united on confession. 

In the winter of 1870 arrangements were made for the 
purchase of a parsonage, and in the month of July it 
was occupied. Thecost was $11,683. Of this sum $485 
were the proceeds of a fair held by the ladies, and $293 
came from " The Mite Society." 

In the summer of 187 1, the question arose whether 
to repair the lecture room, or to sell it. At a meeting 
of the congregation called to consider this matter, it 
was resolved to sell, which was done in October. The 
building and ground brought $1500. October, 1871, a 
collection of $300 was taken in the church, for the 
sufferers from the great fire in Chicago. 

In 1874, and again in 1876, the church was revived 
by large additions ; in the former year thirty-seven 
joined on confession, and in the latter year, thirty-seven 
were received in the same way. 

May 14th, 1874, a farewell meeting for Miss Elmira 
Kuhl was held, who has been ever since a most devoted 
and successful missionary in Brazil. Rev. Dr. Ellinwood 
and Rev. ]Mr. Woodside delivered addresses. The 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 87 

pastor gave a farewell address, and presented Miss Kuhl 
with a gold watch, on behalf of the Mission Band of 
** Gleaners," which was formed in 1872. In 1876'* The 
Ella Kuhl Circle " was formed, consisting of those 
younger than the members of 1 he Gleaners. Their 
contributions were devoted also to foreign missions. 
This increased in numbers until, in 1885, it was con- 
sidered best to form a new Band, which should divide 
its gatherings between home and foreign missions. This 
was named '' The Hill Memorial Band," after Mrs. 
William Hill, deceased, who had been very active in the 
cause of foreign missions. 

In the month of June, 1877, the congregation gener- 
ously offered the pastor a vacation of three months to 
take a trip to Europe, also presenting him with a purse 
of $500 in gold for his expenses. This manifestation of 
kind feeling was altogether unexpected. The pastor 
was not aware of any such intention, until he was waited 
on by the trustees, and informed of their arrangement. 
He sailed on July 5th and returned October 22d. The 
next winter he endeavored to express his appreciation 
of this kindness, by giving a series of lectures on places 
visited in Europe, illustrated by stereopticon views. 
Those were the first exhibited in Flemington. 

The pastor in his fifth anniversary sermon, in May, 
1874, called attention to the fact, that the increase of 
the congregation was surpassing the accommodation 
furnished by the pews ; that seven families wanted 
sittings ; that some were crowded in half pews who 
desired more room, and that the structure required 
considerable repairs. A few days after, a meeting of 
the trustees was held to consider the question, whether 



SS HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

"to repair, enlarge, or rebuild." No conclusion was 
reached, but it was resolved that the Session be invited 
to meet with the trustees. At that meeting, it was re- 
solved to consult an architect. The architect made an 
estimate, that necessary repairs and enlargement would 
cost $12,000 at least. But his opinion was that a new 
church would be the wisest measure. But to tear 
down a structure that had been standing only eighteen 
years, seemed to the majority of the congregation an 
unwarranted course. 

Nothing further was done until April, 1S76, when the 
matter again was taken up by the trustees. A commit- 
tee was appointed to "ascertain the probable expense of 
an enlargement of the church, and an addition for 
lecture and Sunday-school rooms, 35 x 70 feet." They 
also visited several churches, for the purpose of obtain- 
ing information respecting enlargement, and alterations; 
but they returned dissatisfied with all they had seen, and 
strongly inclined to the opinion, that a new church was 
the best course. At the annual meeting of the congre- 
gation, which was held soon after, a report was made 
from the committee appointed by the trustees. After 
hearing this report, and after a discussion, it was re- 
solved, that a committee be appointed to ascertain what 
the expense would be to carry out the following plan, 
viz : '' To make a new front to the church, take out the 
rear wall, and add enough to give sufficient additional 
pews, and make such repairs as are found necessary." 
The result of the inquiry was, that such alterations and 
additions could not be done for less than $15,000. 
Soon after this, the effects of the panic, and the bank- 
ruptcy of the New Jersey Central Railroad produced 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 89 

such a State of things, as to render further efforts inex- 
pedient. But the same needs, which in 1874 constrained 
the trustees to consider the question of repairs, and en- 
largement, or a new edifice, still remained and pressed 
with even greater force. Since that year ninety-two 
persons had been added to the church by certificate 
alone. This increase represented about thirty families. 
These additions were threefold more than the removals. 
Besides, the building required a thorough overhauling, 
and it was apprehended, that the repairs might be more 
extensive than was anticipated ; also there were parts of 
thehouse that were objectionable. All these points were 
constantly presenting themselves to those who were 
deeply interested in the welfare of the congregation. 

So strong was the conviction that something ere 
long must be done, that the ladies of the congrega- 
tion began, in 1876, a fund for furnishing the new build- 
ing, or enlargement, whichever it might be, and which 
in four years grew to $244. Meanwhile they had 
carpeted the chapel on Bloomfield Avenue. 

The 1st of February, 1882, a deep solemnity began to 
pervade the extra meetings which were held in the 
chapel. During some of the evenings this feeling was 
almost oppressive. These services were conducted 
mostly by members of the church. On them rested the 
burden of responsibility, which they had not in other 
years experienced, because the pastor had only partially 
recovered from the prostration caused by an attack of 
fever, which prevented his preaching from April to 
October. Thus the church was blessed with a revival, 
which brought into membership in February thirty-five 
persons on confession, of whom seventeen were baptized. 



go HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

At the close of this revival a *' Young Peoples' Associa- 
tion " was formed, with a constitution like the Young- 
Peoples' Society of Christian Endeavor, only that the 
pledge was not in it. April 23d, 1888, the Young Peo- 
ples' Society of Christian Endeavor was organized. 

Before this revival began, several members of the 
congregation had asked the pastor whether it was not 
possible to do something for the improvement of the 
church building, and expressed a willingness to contrib- 
ute liberally for that purpose. During the revival this 
feeling increased, so that the pastor concluded it was 
his duty to lay the matter before the trustees, which he 
did at a meeting called for that purpose, January 30th, 
1882. The matter was taken under serious considera- 
tion. Several meetings were held. At last it was 
resolved that a new church was necessary for the best 
interests of the congregation. And on March 3rd the 
trustees determined to circulate a subscription to secure 
$20,000, and this was to be obtained before any measures 
should be taken to consult an architect. The undertak- 
ing met with unexpected favor, so that the requisite 
sum was subscribed by the last of June. 

There was a general agreement at that time in the 
congregation that something must be done ; but opinion 
was nearly equally divided, whether there should be re- 
pairs and enlargement, or a new building. As the 
matter was discussed during the circulation of the sub- 
scription, sentiment more and more settled in favor of a 
new edifice. This was increased by a public meeting, 
Sunday evening, June 25th, at which addresses were 
made by Vice-Chancellor Bird, President of the Board 
of Trustees, by W. P. Emery, and by the pastor. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. QT 

Immediately the trustees took action towards secur- 
ing plans. Having selected an architect, Mr. J. F. 
Stuckert, of Philadelphia, a plan and specifications were 
prepared. After due advertisement, the contract was 
awarded to Messrs. Titus and Conrad, of Trenton. 
The building committee were, T. C. Haward, Paul K. 
Hoffman, Atkinson Holcomb, John Kershow. 

On Sabbath, the 13th day of August, worship was 
held for the last time in the church. In the morning 
we held fellowship as members of the church, in the 
sacrament of the Lord's Supper, Three persons were 
then received on confession ; and on the preceding day 
four children were baptized. Thus were made signifi- 
cant the closing services in that house of God, hallowed 
to many as the place of sweet converse with the Saviour,, 
and of associations never to be forgotten. On the Tues- 
day follow^ing, the building was given over to the con- 
tractors. 

On the 2ist of September the corner-stone was laid. 
The opening prayer was offered by Rev. K, H. Bahler ; 
historical statement and laying the stone by the pastor ; 
prayer by Rev. C. S. Conkling; hymn read by Rev. F. L. 
Chapell of the Baptist Church ; address by Rev. P. A. 
Studdiford, D.D. ; prayer by Rev. Mr. Asay, and bene- 
diction by Rev. S. R. Queen. In the corner-stone was 
placed •* a box containing a historical sketch of the 
church; list of church members and officers ; the pamiph- 
let entitled ' First Century of Hunterdon County'; Dr. 
Mott's memorial sermon on the death of President 
Garfield ; the names of the contractors and builders ; a 
Testament, the Presbyterian^ Evangelist^ New York Ob- 
server and copies of the Flemington papers. The box 



92 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

was securely sealed." Several heavy 'white oak timbers 
were used in the construction of the foundation, which 
were first used in the original church in 1793. When 
the church was rebuilt in 1S56, these timbers had a place. 
When that building was torn down, these same heavy 
beams were found to be so sound, as to be put in the 
present structure. Also in the walls are laid some of 
the stone taken from the walls of the first church, and 
of the second. Thus our building to day represents 
in its material its two predecessors. 

From the very beginning of the undertaking a strong 
determination existed, that the church must be dedi- 
cated without debt. With this end in view, a second 
subscription paper was circulated during the summer 
of 1883, in order to raise $11,000. There was a hearty 
and liberal response, which secured that sum. The 
building and furniture cost $33,000. Of this amount 
the carpets, cushions for pews, and furniture cost $2000 
which was obtained by the ladies of the congregation. 
By them $900 were raised from entertainments, and $840 
were contributed by the ladies alone during the month 
of August. And $224 were the fund which had been 
accumulating for four years. The windows cost $932. 
The pews cost $1850. The rebuilding of the organ 
$950. The fence and the side walk cost $2000. 

The services of dedication were held Thursday 
afternoon, November ist, 1883. The devotional services 
were conducted by Rev. S. M. Studdiford, D. D., Rev. 
P. A. Studdiford, D.D., Rev. F. L. Chapell, of the Bap- 
tist Church, and Rev. S. B. Rooney, of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, Rev. John S. Macintosh, D.D., of Phila- 
delphia, Rev. John P. W. Blattenberger, of Reaville, and 




00 

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FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 93 

Rev. Joseph G. Williamson. A historical statement 
was read by the pastor, at the close of which he offered 
the prayer of dedication. The sermon was delivered by 
Rev. W. C. Roberts, D.D., Secretary of the Presbyterian 
Board of Home Missions, from John iv. 36. The sermon 
was admirabl}^ adapted to the occasion, and afterward 
received the highest commendation. 

Thus was completed an edifice which has always 
elicited the admiration of visitors. It is an ornament to 
the town; occupying, as it does, a site that is unsurpass- 
ed in beauty in our State. The dimensions of the edi- 
fice are 138 feet in depth, and ninety feet in breadth. 
The audience room is 75 x 90 feet. The chapel is 63x90 
feet. This enlarged accom.modation was most opportune, 
because, in the two following years, a large number of 
Presbyterian families moved into the town, giving an 
addition to the church of fifty-two by certificate. 

We believe that the erection of this new structure 
stimulated our Methodist brethren to undertake what, 
for them, was a formidable task, but which ended in 
securing their church, which is a little gem. The corner- 
stone was laid September 4th, 1886, and the church 
was dedicated Wednesday, February 22nd, 1888. The 
cost of the building was $20,800. 

One other event should be recorded in connection 
with the site of our church. Immediately in front of 
the yard extends a small triangular piece of ground, on 
which the Soldiers' Monument stands. This plot origi- 
nall}" was included in the ground purchased for the 
second church. Until the spring of 1877 this ground 
was a piece of commons, which finally became a dump- 
ing spot for rubbish. Then, through the exertions of 



94 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

the pastor and Peter E. Emery, that plot was filled in, 
covered with sod, and surrounded by a fence, at a cost 
of $iio. In May, 1888, the Major Lambert Boeman Post, 
which was formed August, 1880, decided to take action 
in favor of a suitable monument, in memory of their 
comrades in the Civil War. A committee was appointed, 
which organized January i8th, 1889, selecting Captain 
John Shields as Chairman, and A.T. Connet as Secretary 
and Treasurer. When the time came to select a site, by 
a unanimous vote of the committee, it was decided to 
place the monument in this little park in front of the 
church. The monument was unveiled May 30th, 1892. 
It cost $2755 ; and the very neat iron railing cost 
about $375. All was contributed by citizens of the 
town. One-third of the cost of the monument was 
raised by the " Ladies' Relief Corps," which was organ- 
ized May ist, 1888. 

During the present pastorate of twenty-five years, 
which closes the first century of the church, there have 
been added to the membership 431 on confession, and 
320 by certificate. There were on the church roll May, 
1869, 210 members, now there are 551. The elders 
elected during this pastorate are William B. Kuhl, John 
T. Bird, E. R. Bullock, A. T. Connet, Charles Watson, 
Elias Vosseller, John Kershow, Augustus Dilts, N. D. 
Stiger, John L. Connet. Passed away by death, William 
B. Kuhl, John Y. Yard, William P. Emery, Mahlon 
Smith, E. R. Bullock, Peter I. Nevius, George B. Stothoff. 
Trustees elected T. C. Haward, John T. Bird, A. T. 
Connet, Paul K. Hoffman, John L. Jones, Zenas L. 
Nevius, John Kershow, Augustus Dilts, E. P. Conkling, 
Richard Kuhl, J. B. Hopewell, Jacob R. Wert, Hervey 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEV. 95 

Kuhl, E. W. Bellis, James A. Kline, William H. Bartles, 
M.D., James A. Brodhead. 

A Board of Deacons was first elected in 1869, when 
John C. Coon, John S. Emery, R. S. Kuhl, Joseph Hig- 
gins were chosen. Since, Peter E, Emery, John DeMott, 
Paul K. Hoffman, and Garret C. Stiger have been 
elected. 

Thus closes the first century of the history of this Pres- 
byterian Church in Flemington. Space will not permit 
anything like a resume, nor even those reflections, 
which profitably might be offered. The author, however, 
desires to state, that he has used every means of infor- 
mation within his reach to verify the facts and the dates 
which are given. He has not entered into a biography 
of the many prominent men who have been connected 
with this congregation for two reasons: Because to 
have done so would have greatly increased the size of 
this book, beyond that which would be desirable. The 
other reason is, that such biographies are to be found in 
the history of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties. Also 
he would add, that the part of this history which relates 
to the connection of the Flemington District with the 
mother church of Amwell, and the origin of the Flem- 
ington Church, have been prepared from letters, manu- 
scripts, and documents, unexpectedly discovered in 1876, 
and then used for the first time in a historical discourse. 



ROLL OF THE 



PASTORS, OFFICERS AND 



MEMBERS 



FROM THE 



ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH 



UNTIL 



Anno Dg.v.ini, 1894. 



PASTORS. 

Thomas Grant, . . . * . 1 791-1809 

Jacob Ten Eyck Field, . . . . i8ro-i8[3 

John Flavel Clark, ... - 1815-1836 

James Munson Olmstead, . - - - 1837-1849 

John L, Janeway, 1850-1868 

George Scudder Mott, ... - 1869 



Ordained, 

Thomas Reading, 1797, 

Jasper Smith, i797^ 
*Arthur Schenck, 
♦Jonathan Hill, 

Isaac Hill, 181 1 

Cor. Williamson, 181 1 

Jeptha Arrison, 1816 

Paul Kuhl, Jr., 1816 

Christopher Cool, 1816 

John G. Trimmer, 1816 

Daniel Marsh, 1838 

Mahlon Smith, 1838 

John Griggs, 1838 

Cor. Williamson, 1838 

Leonard P. Kuhl, 1848 
William P. Emery, 1848 



ELDERS. 

Died, Ordained. Died. 

1814 Peter I. Clark, 1857, 1863 

i8o4f John Kershow, 1857, i868t 
John Y. Yard, 1857, 1885 
Peter I. Nevius, 1864, 1894 

1826 Geo. B. Stothoff, 1864, 1894 

1818 William B. Kuhl, 1869, 1870 

i82ot John T. Bird, 1869, 1882! 

1861 E. R. Bullock, 

1844 A. T. Connet, 

1844 Charles Watson, 

1866 E. Vosseller, 

1889 N. D. Stiger, 

1872 John Kershow, 

1854 Augustus Dilts, 

1857 John L. Connet, 

1888 



1869, 1890 
1869. 

1882, i883t 
1882, 

1885, i88bt 
1885, 
1885, 
1885, 



DEACONS. 

Ordained. Died. Ordained. Died. 

John C. Coon, 1869, i886t Peter E. Emery, 1877, 

John S. Emery, 1869, 1876! John H. Demott, 1877, 

Richard S. Kuhl, 1869, Paul K. Hoffman, 1885, 

Joseph Higgins, 1869, 1884 Garret C. Stiger, 1885, 



* When Schenck and Hill were ordained is not stated. 



t Moved away. 



TRUSTEES. 



In the years not enumerated, the same persons were 
trustees as in the last year recorded. 



In 1792. 

Jasper Smith, 
Thomas Reading, 
Arthur Gray, 
Charles Reading, 
Samuel Hill, 
Joseph Capner, 
Cornelius Polhemus. 

In 1795. 
Jasper Smith, 
Samuel Hill, 
Thomas Reading, 
Arthur Gray, 
Samuel Robert Stewart. 

In 1806. 

Thomas Reading, 
George C. Maxwell, 
Charles Reading, 
William Bennet, 
Samuel Hill, 
Joseph Capner, 
Isaac Hill. 

In 1809. 

George C. Maxwell, 
Charles Reading, 
John R. Reading, 
Samuel Hill, 



Isaac Hill, 

Arthur Schenck, 
Jonathan Hill. 

In 1814. 

Samuel L. Southard, 
Charles Reading, 
Cornelius Wyckoff, 
Samuel Griggs, 
John R. Reading, 
Jonathan Hill, 
John G. Trimmer. 

In 1817. 

Thomas Gordon, 
William P. Young, 
Andrew Van Fleet, 
Cornelius Wyckoff, 
Samuel Griggs, 
John R. Reading, 
William Maxwell. 

In 1819. 

David P. Shrope, 
William Williamson, 

In place of 

Thomas Gordon andWilliam 
Maxwell, resigned. 



102 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 



In 1820. 

Daniel Marsh, 
In place of 
Shrope, resigned. 

In 1821. 
Nathaniel Saxton, 
Cornelius Wyckoff, 
Samuel Griggs, 
William Williamson, 
Daniel Marsh, 
Andrew Van Fleet, 
William P. Young. 

In 1823. 
Joseph Reading, 
George Risler, 
John F. Schenk, M.D., 
Van Fleet and Young, 
resigned. 

In 1825. 
Nathaniel Saxton, 
Samuel Griggs, 
Cornelius Wyckoff, 
Daniel Marsh, 
Joseph Reading, 
William P. Young, 
Neal Hart. 

In 1828. 

Joseph Reading, 
Elisha R. Johnson, 
Alexander Wurts, 
George Maxwell, 
Daniel Marsh, 
Neal Hart, 
Robert K. Reading. 



In 1831. 

Joseph Reading, 
Robert K. Reading, 
Daniel Marsh, 
Paul Kuhl, 
Christopher Kuhl, 
John Trimmer, 
Henry M. Kline. 

In 1833. 

Joseph Reading, 
John Trimmer, 
Paul Kuhl, 
Christopher Kuhl, 
Daniel Marsh, 
Neal Hart, 
Cornelius Williamson. 

In 1834. 

Thatcher Prall, 
Leonard P. Kuhl, 

In place of 
Trimmer and Paul Kuhl, 
resigned. 

In 1835. 

Charles Bartles, 
John Griggs, 
Paul Kuhl, 
Thatcher Prall, 
Leonard P. Kuhl, 
Neal Hart, 
Cornelius Williamson. 

In 1838. 

Robert K. Reading, 
Leonard P. Kuhl, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



103 



William G. Kuhl, 
Samuel Hill, 
Benjamin S. Holt, 
Joseph P. Boss, 
John Griggs. 

In 1839. 
Thatcher Prall, 
In place of 
Wm. G. Kuhl. 

In 1844. 

Charles Bartles, 
Augustus Frisbie, 
Alexander Wurts, 
John W. Kline, 
L. P. Kuhl, 
Joseph P. Boss, 
Peter I. Clark. 

In 1846. 

Geo. H. Stothoff, 
Cornelius Williamson, 

In place of 

Kline and Boss. 

In 1847. 

Wm. P. Emery, 
John Chapman, 

In place of 

Wurts and Frisbie. 

In 1848. 
James N. Reading, 

In place of 
Williamson. 



In 1849. 

John Chapman, 
James N. Reading, 
Wm. H. Sloan, 
L. P. Kuhl, 
Peter W. Burk, 
Edward R. Bullock, 
Wm, P. Emery. 

In 1850. 

Charles Bartles, 
Peter I. Clark, 
In place of 
Sloan and Chapman. 

In 1852. 

John G. Reading, 

In place of 
Jas. N. Reading. 

In 1855. 

Geo. B. Stothoff, 

In place of 
C. Bartles. 

In 1857. 

Charles Bartles, 
In place of 
E. R. Bullock. 

In 1858. 

Geo. B. Stothoff, 
Peter I. Clark, 
John G. Reading, 
Wm. P. Emery, 
Peter W. Burk, 
Charles Bartles, 
Wm. B. Kuhl. 



:o4 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



In 1864. 
Peter I. Nevius, 
In place of 
P. I. Clark, deceased. 

In 1867. 
Richard Emmons, 

In place of 
J. G. Reading. 

In 1870. 
T. C. Haward, 
In place of 
Wm. B. Kuhl, deceased. 

In 1873. 
J. T. Bird, 
A. T. Connet, 

In place of 
C. Bartles and R. Emmons. 

In 1874. 
P. K. Hoffman, 
In place of 
W. P. Emery. 

In 1876. 
John T. Bird, 
Thomas C. Haward, 
Andrew T. Connet, 
Paul K. Hoffman, 
John L. Jones, 
Z. L. Nevius, 
John Kershow. 

In 1879. 
Augustus Dilts, 
In place of 
A. T. Connet. 



In 1882. 

E. P. Conkling, 
In place of 
John T. Bird. 

In 1883. 

T. C. Haward, 
Z. L. Nevius, 
J. Kershow, 
Augustus Dilts, 
E. P. Conkling, 
Richard S. Kuhl, 
J. B. Hopewell. 

In 1886. 

Jacob R. Wert, 
Hervey Kuhl, 

In place of 
J. Kershow, 
Augustus Dilts. 

In 1888. 

T. C. Haward, 
E. P. Conkling, 
J. B. Hopewell, 
R. S. Kuhl, 
Jacob R. Wert, 
P. K. Hoffman, 
E, Wilson Bellis. 

In 1891. 
E. P. Conkling, 
J. B. Hopewell, 
R. S. Kuhl, 
E. W. Bellis, 
James A. Kline, 
Wm. H. Bartles, M.D., 
Jacob R. Wert. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



105 



J. B. Hopewell, 
R. S. Kuhl, 
Jacob R. Wert, 
E. Wilson Bellis, 



In 1894. 

James A. Kline, 

Wm. H. Bartles, M.D., 

James A. Broadhead. 



MEMBERS. 

The proceedings of the Session of Flemington Church 
were not regularly recorded previous to 18 10. At that 
time the following names were on the roll: John Read- 
ing, Sr., Thomas Reading, Jonathan Hill and wife, John 
G. Trimmer, William Bellows, Sr., Mrs. Mary Cool, John 
Maxwell, Sr., and wife, Abraham Williamson, Mrs. 
Griggs, Arthur Schenck. Probably there were a few 
others not recorded. 



1810. 

Confession. 

Isaac Hill, 

Mrs. Mary Hill, 

Joakim Hill, 

William Bloom and wife, 

John Phillips, 

Mrs. Mercy Grey, 

Miss Nancy Reading, 

Christopher Cool and wife. 

1811. 

Confession. 

Mrs. Rachel Field, 
Miss Mary Young. 

Certificate. 

Cornelius Williamson, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Williamson, 
David Baker. 



1812. 

Co7ifession. 

Mrs. Wyckoff, 

Mrs. Vandoren, 

Mrs. Phebe Polhemus. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Abigail Marsh, 
Mrs. Mary Baker. 

1815. 
Cofifession. 
Ann Williamson, 
Cornelius Williamson, 
Richard Williamson. 

Certificate. 
Jeptha Arrison 

and W'ife, 
William Williamson 
and w^ife. 



io6 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



1816. 

Confession. 

Mrs. Andrew Van Fleet, 

Agnes Lee, 

Hannah Clark, 

Daniel Griggs, 

Mahlon Smith, 

Flora, Margaret and Phebe, 

(colored slaves), 
Mrs. Betty Case, 
Mrs. Anna Cool, 
Mrs. Hannah Sutphin, 
Mrs. Catharine Hoagland, 
Mrs. Phebe Smith, 
Joseph Painter, 
Mrs. Margaret Bonnell. 

1817. 

Confession. 
Mrs. Anna Chamberlain, 
Mrs. Mattison, 
Ann Vanderipe, 
Thomas (colored). 

Ceriificate. 
Wendhert Nelson and wife. 

1818. 

Confession. 

James Herring, 
Mary Johnson, 
Catherine Williams, 
Betsey Griggs, 
Mrs. Wm. H. Young, 
Mrs. Hopy Henderson, 
Rachel Lisk, 

Mrs. Catherine Vanomer, 
Daniel Marsh, 



John Pittengen, 
Caty (colored). 

Certificate. 

Sally Case, 
Auchy Pittenger. 

1819. 

Confession. 

John Lisk and wife, 
Mrs. Marsh, 
Miss Ann Vanomer, 
Phoebe (colored). 

1820. 

Confession. 

Mrs. Mary Young, 
Mrs. Ann Herring, 
Mrs. Ann Dilts. 

1821. 

Confession. 

Martha Osborn, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Kuhl, 
Mrs. Mary Tenbrook. 

1822. 

Leah (colored), a slave be- 
longing to Mr. Charles 
Bonnell. 

1823. 

Confession. 

William Corwine, 
Mrs. Catherine Yard, 
Mrs. Ann Huff, 
Samuel D. Stryker, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



107 



Mrs. Eliza Stryker, 

Charity Huff, 

Mary Hart, 

Margaret Bughner, 

John Anderson, 

James Callis, 

Mrs. Sarah Thomson, 

Mrs. Sarah Maxwell, 

Amy Ann Case, 

Ann Case, 

Mrs. Elizabeth Shepherd, 

Mrs. Elisha R. Johnson, 

Elizabeth Choice, 

Miss Nancy Thomson. 

1824. 
Confession. 
William C. Young. 

1825 

Confession. 
Leonard Kuhl. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Jane Schenck, 
Joseph (colored). 

1826. 
Confession. 

Hannah (colored), 
Esther (colored). 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Sarah Roper. 

1827. 
Confession. 
Rachel (colored). 



Cornelius Williamson, 
Mrs. Ann Williamson, 
Wm. M. Huff, 
Mrs. Ann Huff, 
Elizabeth Cunningham, 
Euphemia Reading. 

Certificate. 

Abijah Titus, 

Mrs. Elizabeth Titus. 

1828. 
Certificate. 

Joseph W. Kerr, 
Ann Williamson, 
Sarah Gallaher, 
Ann Gallaher, 
Mrs. Metier. 

1829. 
Confession. 

Samuel Naylor, 

Mrs. Ann Naylor, 

Mrs. Rachel Teneyck, 

Jacob Voorhees, 

Mrs. Hannah Voorhees, 

Mrs. Mary Anderson, 

Deor (colored), 

Mrs. Sarah Pettit, 

Betsy Vanfleet, 

Betsy Suydam, 

Mrs. Marv Baker, 

William Dilts, 

Mrs. Julia Dilts, 

Adam Bellis, 

James Quick, 

Mrs, Betsy Reading, 

John Dilts, 



io8 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



Amelia Williamson, 
Eliza Williamson, 
Maria (colored), 
William Dilts, Sr., 
William B. Kuhl, 
Mrs. Jemima Risler, 
Mrs. Ann Case. 

Cej'tificate. 

Josiah Prall, 

John Chamberlain, Jr., 

Mrs. Ann Chamberlain. 

1830. 
Confession. 

Mary Sloan, 

Mrs. Elizabeth Conover, 

Thomas (colored), slave. 

Certificate. 
Mary E. Maxwell. 

1832. 

Confession. 

Thatcher Prall, 
Mrs. Mary Prall, 
Livinia Rounsevell, 
Mrs, Nancy Reading. 

1833- 
Confession. 

Mrs. Mary Case, 
Martha Kuhl, 
Eliza Durham, 
Sarah Hart, 
Jane Hassel, 
Leonard Kuhl, 
Mrs. Dorothy Kuhl, 



Eleanor Kuhl, 
Amos Maxwell, 
Mrs. Eliza Prall, 
Marian Kuhl, 
Sarah Kuhl. 

1834. 
Confession. 

Dr. Wm. Geary, 
Andrew Kuhl, 
Eliza Ann Drew, 
Eliza Williamson, 
Betty (colored), 
Jacob Race, 
Mrs. Sophie Race, 
Rachel (colored), 
John Griggs, 
Mrs. Catharine Griggs, 
Ann Race, 
Rebecca Hogeland. 

1835- 
Confession. 

Mrs. Hannah Clark, 
Mrs. Caroline Sloan. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Mary Bellis. 

1837- 
Certificate. 

Joseph P. Boss, 
Maria Van Nest, 
Susan Applegate, 
Eliza Ann Orner, 
Hart Wilson, 
Mrs. Amelia Wilson, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



109 



Charlotte C. Fowler, 
Richard Williamson, 
Catherine Williamson. 

1838. 

Confession. 

Margaret Cool, 
Isaac Marsh, 
Ann Marsh, 
Hannah Marsh, 
Benjamin Holt, 
Margaret Griggs, 
Aaron Griggs, 
Ann Harvey, 
Sophia Harvey, 
Augustus Frisbee, 
Hannah A. Frisbee, 
Matilda Depuy, 
Jane Ann Vleit, 
William C. Bellis, 
Deborah A. Smith, 
Mary (colored), 
Sarah Kline, 
Maria Schenk, 
J. H. Kuhl, 
Mrs. Eliza Bellis. 

1839- 
Certificate. 

Mrs. Ann Olmstead, 
Lucretia Clark, 
Mrs. Catherine Kuhl. 

Confession. 

Robert Pike, Jr., 
George Pepler, 
Nicholas Mollett. 



Certificate. 
Elizabeth Suydam. 

1840. 
Confession. 

James Bellis, 
Mrs. Catharine Bonnell, 
Mrs. Jane Bellis, 
Jane t. Pepler, 
Ann Shepherd, 
Catherine Shepherd. 
Certificate. 

Mrs. Agnes Cullen, 
Henr}'^ Sell, 
Conrad Wiegand. 

1841. 

Certificate. 

John Chamberlain, 
Augustus G. Richey, 
Mrs, Sarah Reading. 

1842. 

Confession. 

Catherine S. Besson, 
Fanny Besson, 
Susan B. Hart, 
Jane A. Hart, 
Mary Chamberlain, 
William G. Fowler, 
Lewis Runkle, 
Mrs. Matilda Fisher, 
Clarinda Bellis, 
Margaret Bellis, 
Mary Ann Bodine, 
Emma Shepherd, 



no 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



Edith Munroe, 
Mary Choyce, 
Margaret C. Dilts, 
Elizabeth Boughner, 
Martha Reading, 
Osea Quick, 
Ann E. Mettler, 
John Kershow, 
William Anderson, 
Francis V. Hagaman, 
Isaac Smith, 
Samuel S. Shepherd, 
Mrs. Ann Kane, 
Samuel S. Suydam, 
Robert R. Depuy, 
Isaruah (colored), 
Peter W. Burk, Jr., 
Sarah Ann Yard, 
Elizabeth Ann Vorhis, 
Cornelius Vorhis, 
Harriet B. Deats, 
Peter I. Clark, 
Abraham H. Deats, 
William P. Emery, 
John Yard, 
Mrs. Rebecca Yard, 
John F. Crater, 
Mrs. Ann Milborn. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Eliza Chapman, 

Abel Everett, 

Mrs. Sarah F. Reading. 

1843. 

Confession, 

John Bodine, 
Wilson H. Suydam, 



John R. BelHs, 
John Smith, 
William Boughner. 

Certificate. 

Maria (colored), 

Mrs. Catherine Bonnell. 

1844. 
Cofjfession. 
Elizabeth Hoagland. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Margaret Thomas, 
Mrs. Catherine Holden, 
David Gaddis, 
Mrs. Sarah Gaddis, 
Mrs. Mary Ann Risler. 

1846. 

Confession, 

Henry S. Stryker, 
Catherine Stryker, 
Mary Munroe, 
Cornelius Wyckoff, Jr., 
Richard Cool, 
Catharine Yard, 
John Carr Quick, 
Jacob M. Bellis. 

1847^ 
Confession. 
George Kuhl. 

Certificate. 
Mrs. Sarah Goodfellow, 
Miss Mary Goodfellow. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



II I 



1848. 

Confession. 

Thomas Bullock, 
James Barber, 
Eliza Ann Camp. 

Cej'tificate. 

E. R. Bullock, 
Mrs. Janet Bullock, 
Mrs. Hannah M. Farlee, 
Sidney Reading, 
Mrs. Harriet Reading. 

1849. 

Confession. 

Margaret K. Bellis, 
Mrs. Amanda Pettit. 

Certificate. 

James Clyde and wife, 
Geo. P. Rex, M.D., 
Mrs. Gertrude Rex, 
Mrs. Sarah H. Wyckoff, 
Israel B. Higgins, 
AUetta A. Higgins, 
Mrs. Mary C. Young, 
Harry Wyckoff, 
Mrs. Catharine Wyckoff. 

1850. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Catharine Campbell, 
Mrs. Maria L. Janeway, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Kee, 
Juliet Rue. 



.851 
Confession. 

Mrs. Eliza Bartles, 
Josephine M. Mclntire, 

(colored), 
Mary Bartles, 
Mrs. Ann Emery, 
Emeline Prall. 

Certificate. 
Jane Vandoren, 
Elijah Hoagland, 
Mrs. Alletta Hoagland, 
Catharine Hill. 

1852. 

Confession. 

Gabriel H. Bellis, 
Martha S. Smith, 
Elizabeth A. Bonnell, 
Eliza B. Wilson, 
Catharine Kuhl, 
Lambert Boeman, 
Charles W, Southard, 
Wm. Metier, 
Elisha S. Wvckoff, 
Ella Hart, 

Mary Elizabeth Hart, 
Hannah M. Kuhl, 
Margaret Y. Kuhl, 
Eliza R. Farlee, 
Alex. Mclntire (colored), 
Mrs. Cynthia R. Clark, 
Thos. Volk, 
Richard Emmons, 
Mrs. Mary Hill, 
Cornelia Bonnell, 
Sarah Wilson, 



112 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



Eleanor Frances (colored), 

Eliza Frances (colored), 

Peter Emmons (colored), 

Anna Hackett (colored), 

Elizabeth Hackett (colored) 

Mrs. Eliza Emmons, 

Mrs. Mary Wurts, 

Jacob S. Smith, 

Martha Kuhl, 

Sarah Kuhl, 

Lydia Moore, 

Sarah G. Callis, 

Abraham Volk, 

John Kee, 

Unis Emmons (colored). 

Certificate. 
Joakim Hill, 
Mrs. Lucinda Smith, 
Wm. Emery, 
John Volk, 
Rebecca Volk, 
Christiana Volk, 
Henrietta Kuhl, 
Mary Kuhl, 
G. B. Stothoff, 
Mrs. Phebe Stothoff, 
Jane Snydiker, 
Sarah Jane Wyckoff. 

1853. 
Certificate. 
Rosina Cunningham. 

1854. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Elijah Hewitt, 

Mrs. J. F. Dumont, 

Mrs. Joseph Fisher. 



1855. 
Confession. 

J. F. Dumont, 

Certificate. 

Dr. J. Lessey, 
Mrs. Lydia Lessey, 
Mary C. Emery, 
W. W. Young, 
Mrs. Letitia Young, 
Mrs. Jane Gray, 
Mrs. Ann Hopewell, 
Sallie Hopewell, 
A. T. Schenck, 
Mrs. Ellen Gorden. 

1856. 

Confession. 

Eliza Griggs, 
John S. Emery, 
John G. Reading, 
Eldridge Merrit, 
Sarah M. Boss, 
Dr. J. A. Gray, 
Peter L Nevius, 
Joseph H. Higgins, 
Mrs. Rebecca Evans. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Catharine Coon, 

Mrs. Ann Van Fleet, 

Mary J. Sullivan, 

Geo. C. Rea, 

John Volk, 

Mrs. Rebecca Volk, 

Mrs. Wm. Emery, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



"3 



^857. 
Confession. 

Anna Francis, 
Geo. F. Cramer, 
Charles Miller, 
Geo. Dilts. 

Certificate, 
Maggie E. Conover, 
Alleta Brocavv. 

1853. 



C' 



'Confession. 

Mrs. Mary Sergeant, 

Elmira Kuhl, 

Mrs. Catharine Jones, 

Ellen Kerwine, 

Wm. Bartles, 

Wm. Wenzell, 

Amanda Milliken, 

Margaret Bradley, 

Mrs. Dorothy Kuhl, 

James T. Johnson, 

Joseph Van Doren, 

Bennet Van Syckle, 

George A. Evans. 

Conrad Heck, 

Mrs. Elizabeth Van Syckle. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Hetty Van Doren, 
Margaret Van Doren, 
Geo. Harvey Bartles, 
Mrs. Lois Bartles, 
John Alpaugh, 
Mrs. Marv Alpaugh, 
Sarah Wyckoff, 
Caroline Wyckoff. 



1859. 

Confession. 

Mrs. Caroline Bellis, 
Elijah M. Chadwick, 
Mariah J. Chadwick, 
Silas Volk, 
Alfred J. Butler, 
Anna Sloan, 
David K. Emery, 
Emma Bird. 

Certificate. 

Dinah S. Foster, 
Harriet F. Foster, 
Ann Sharp, 

James B. McNair, M.D., 
Mrs. Mary A. McNair. 

i860. 
Confession. 
Wm.. F. Randolph. 

Certificate. 
John Williamson. 
Mrs. Catharine Williamson, 
Mrs. Lucretia Bird, 
Peter I. Voorhees and wife, 
Mrs. Mary Ann Emery, 
Peter T, Case and wife. 

iS6f . 

Confession. 

Elmira Yard, 

Mrs. Hannah Buchanan, 

Emma Boss, 

Mary E. Griggs, 

Delia Hopewell, 

Hetty M. Cramer. 



114 HISTORV OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



Certificate. 

Matilda Powless, 
W. H. Johnson and wife, 
Randolph N. Bowlsby, 
Mrs. Mary Bowlsby, 
James Williamson. 

1862. 
Confession. 
Mary F. Hopewell, 
Andrew Connet, 
Emma E. Sherwood, 
Mary Stothoff, 
Henry E. Heimbold, 
Anna K. Large. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Patience Rockafeliar, 
Mrs. Mary Hoagland, 
Sarah Ann Yard. 

1863. 

Confession. 
Annie Emery, 
Ellen A. Connet, 
William Clark, 
Mary Ellen Bound, 
Hannah D. Hackett, 
Matilda Clark, 
Elizabeth Case, 
William M. Diidine, 
Margaret Stewart (colored) 
Francis P. Smith, 
Mrs. Margaret Smith, 
Mrs. Mary Wenzell. 

Certificate, 
M. L. Stothoff, 
Mrs. Martha Stothoff, 



Jane Howard, 

Andrew J. Lawrence, 

Mrs. Jane Lawrence, 

W. Edgar Emery, 

Addie Emery, 

Judy Ann Van Doren, 

Elmira Diidine, 

E. R. Bullock, 

Mrs. Janet Bullock, 

Wm. Van Zandt, 

Mrs. Eleanor Van Zandt. 

1864. 
Confession. 
George W. Spear, 
William E. Anderson, 
Mary M. Haward, 
Samuel G. Voorhees, 
Mrs. Jane B. Voorhees, 
Jane M. Kee, 
William B. Burk. 

Certificate. 
Samuel H. Stevenson, 
Mrs. Helen Stevenson, 
Elias Vosseller, 
Mrs. Julia Vosseller, 
Esther Low, 

Ann Matilda Hartpence, 
W. S. Messier, 
Mrs. Margaret Messier, 
Mary Allen, 
Maggie Kuhl. 

1865. 
Confession. 
Sarah M. Cook, 
John W. Umpleby, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



115 



Certificate. 
Joseph C. Smith, 
Mrs. Mary Smith, 
Laura Smith, 
Mrs. Ira Stryker, 
John T. Bird, 
Mrs. Ann E. Bird, 
Mrs. Jane F. Umpleby, 
CorneHus Van Ortrick, 
Lambert B. Kline. 

1866. 

Confession. 
Thomas S. Chittenden, 
Richard Reading (colored), 
Amos V. Hunt, 
Mary S. Dunham, 
Anna B. Thatcher, 
Elizabeth S. Crater, 
John C. Coon, 
Mrs. Mary A. Carrol, 
Miss Mary L. Carrol. 
Hannah H. Kuhl, 
Sarah Felmley, 
Richard S. Kuhl, 
Price W. Janeway, 
Martha Wyckoff, 
Helen D. Gray, 
Abbey D. Gray, 
Charles Vanarsdale, 
Mrs. Hannah Connet, 
Julia Emery, 
Mrs. Margaret Conover, 
Mrs. Joannah S. Connet, 
Mary Annie Reading. 

Certificate. 
Albert Wyckoff, 
Joseph Ramsey, 



Mrs. Euphemia Ramsey, 
Ella R. Ramsey, 
John H. Thompson, 
Asa McPherson, 
Mary P. Housel, 
Ann E. Anderson. 

1867. 

Co7ifession. 

Caroline Callis, 

Maggie McClane Schenk. 

Certificate. 
Jacob K. Vandevere, 
Mrs. Catharine Vandevere 

1868. 

Confession. 
Alexander Wurts, 
Mary T. Bird, 
Lvdia Crater, 
Geo. Bird, 
Mary Ann Marsh, 
Mrs. A. J. Holcomb, 
Judiah H. Kuhl, Jr., 
Mrs. Phebe A. Van Fleet, 
Maggie R. Bartles, 
Mrs .Margaretta Cox. 

Certificate. 
Laura Alpaugh, - 
Mrs. Ann Vanarsdale, 
Hetty Lance, 
Mrs. Mary Ann Emery, 
John L. Connet. 

1869. 

Confession. 
Helen C. Hart, 



1 16 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTEKIAN CHURCH, 



Ralph H. Doan, 
John R. Hill, 
James Boyd, 
Jennie Boyd, 
Thomas C. Havvard. 

Certijicaie. 

Mrs. H. G. Chittenden, 
Mrs. Lydia L. Kline, 
Mrs. Isabella Mott, 
Mrs. Hannah Nevius, 
Mrs. Jennie Robbins, 
Mrs. Tillie Parker, 
G. W. Carpenter, 
Mrs. Margaret Carpenter, 
Mrs. Jane Snook, 
Hannah M. Hill, 
Mrs. W. S. Probasco. 

1870. 

Confession, 

Abram V. F. Yard, 

Holcomb Bryan, 

Mrs. Ann Bryan, 

David B. Boss, 

Mrs. Sarah E. Boss, 

Annie M Force, 

Emily A. Holcomb, 

Mrs. Josephine Arnwine, 

Mary E. Prall, 

Clarinda T. Bellis, 

Annie A. Bellis, 

Lillie B. Cox, 

Mrs. Livinia Viet, 

Mrs. Mary B. Ramsey, 

Mary E. Burk, 

Mrs. Mary E. Chamberlain, 

Elizabeth Prall, 



Theodosia Prall, 
Charles H, Anderson, 
Laura W. Thatcher, 
Sarah Bell Carpenter, 
Martha W. Housel, 
Rundell L. Carpenter, 
M. M. Mallon, 
Mrs. Jane Mallon, 
E. H. Hoagland, 
Mrs. Virginia Hoagland, 
Em.ma M. Stewart, 
Mrs. Marv B. Allen, 
Arabella Marsh, 
Thankful M. Case, 
William C. Marsh, 
Edward Wyhusky, 
Mrs. Sophia Wyhusky, 
Lawrence S. Mott, 
Franklin C. Burk, 
Charles S. Thatcher, 
Edwin T. Burk, 
Lizzie H. Shepherd, 
Mary P. B. Hill, 
Alletta V. N. Hill, 
Mary Ann Emmons, 
Margaret Emmons, 
Mrs. Kate Volk, 
Dayton E. Decker, 
Samuel B. Hill, 
Caretta R. Sergeant, 
Cornelia Sergeant, 
Annie E. Callis, 
Jos. V. Smith, 
Mary Ann Mclntyre, 
Kate Shepherd, 
Mrs. Marv Fink, 
Geo. Fink, 
Mrs. Kitturah Case, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY 



117 



Mrs. Eliza L. Cox, 

Lydia G. Gray, 

Mrs. Margaret A. Bellis, 

Mrs. H. E. Goll, 

Mrs. Annie M. C. Hopevv 

John B. Hopewell, 

Robert Thatcher, 

Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, 

Asa Jones, 

Phebe E. Goll, 

J. N. Kitchen. 

Certificate. 

Adam W. Bellis, 
Mrs. Margaret Bellis, 
Emma T. Hill, 
Anna Wyckoft\ 
Bergen L. Bernisten, 
J. Kershow, 
Mrs. Mary Kershow, 
Emma Bird, 
Johnson M. Bunn, 
Mrs. Annie Bunn, 
Cornelia C. Smith, 
Peter Brewer, 
Mrs. Catherine Brewer, 
Mrs. E. D. VVoodhuU, 
Mrs. Hannah Plum. 

1871. 

^Confession. 

Mrs. Sarah Jane Davis, 
Mrs. Sarah Kline, 
Henrietta Book, 
Elizabeth Moore, 
Adam Ruple and wife, 
Mary Ellen Conover, 
Hannah Lawrence, 



Mrs. Josephine L. Sheppard, 
Mrs. Keturah Holcombe, 
Mary Rupple, 
Orren P. Baker. 

^^^1 Certificate. 

Helen Randall, 
Mrs. Sarah G. Polhemus, 
I. N. Leigh, 
Jacob Smith, 
Mrs. Sarah Smith, 
Mrs. A. E. Burd, 
George Hastings, 
Mrs. Sarah S. Hastings, 
Nathan Solomon. 

1872. 

Confession. 

Mrs. A. E. Cherry, 
Julia L. WoodhuU, 
Charles C. Lederer, 
Mrs. Eliza Lederer, 
Josephine Ramsey, 
Cora H. Bird, 
Mary Ellen Yard. 

Certificate. 

Sarah A. Van Doren, 
John V. Dehart, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Dehart, 
Mrs. Mary Stiger, 
Mrs. Hannah Nevius, 
Catharine G. Nevius, 
Hannah Nevius, 
John Fink, 
Jacob Spangenberg, 
Thomas H. Gray, 
Mrs. Louisa Gray, 
John D. Bonnell, 



ii8 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



Gertrude V. Deats, 
John Ramse}^ 
Mrs. Catharine Ramsey, 
Mrs. Mary A. Metier. 

1873- 
Confession. 

Jacob H. Johnson, 
Mrs. Annie Holcomb, 
Mary Elizabeth Schenck, 
Paul K. Hoffman, 
Mrs. Rhoda Hoffman, 
Mrs. Lizzie Thatcher, 
Andrew Boyd, 
John Boyd, 
Cora Wyckoff, 
Mary E. Case, 
Mrs. Caroline D Bellis, 
Mrs. Abbie M. Large, 
Mrs. Caroline Sergeant, 
Mrs. Mary E. Webster, 
Mrs. Hannah Force. 

Certificate. 
Peter E. Emery, 
Mrs. Mary E. Wyckoff, 
Augustus Dilts, 
Mrs. Ellen Dilts, 
Joseph Boughner, 
Mrs. Mary Boughner, 
Mrs. Ellen Rea, 
Garret C. Stiger, 
Mrs. Matilda Stiger, 
Mrs. Harriet Demott. 

1874. 
Confession. 
John Bloomer, 



John H. Demott, 
John C. Sergeant, 
Louisa Prall, 
Bergen S. Smith, 
William S. Large, 
Charles D. Burk, 
Mary E. Smith, 
Amanda E. Kline, 
Jessie Fremont, 
Caroline Jordy, 
Annie Hoffman, 
Margaret Jordy, 
Annie Schenk, 
Nellie H. Schenk, 
John F. Schenk, Jr., 
George T. Thatcher, 
Maggie B. Higgins, 
Samuel H. Volk, 
Charles Wyhusky, 
William G. Callis, 
John C. Rafferty, 
Rebecca J. Bloomer, 
Maggie M. Bloom^er, 
Thomas McGuire, 
John F. Schenk, M.D., 
Charles B. Crater, 
John B. Price, 
Dorothy K. Boeman, 
Margaret A. Mott, 
Sarah Pollock, 
Clara Burk, 
Helen N. Lowe, 
Ellen Brew^er, 
Cornelia S. Brewer, 
Estelle Macbeth, 
Mrs. Agnes Boyd. 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



119 



CertifiCoie 

Mary Burroughs, 

Mrs. Anna E. Quick, 

C. P. Hoffman7 

Mrs. Mary E. Hoffman, 

Z. L. Nevius, 

Mrs. Elizabeth Nevius, 

Mrs. Sarah A. West, 

Mrs. Hannah N. Van Liew, 

Caroline Carpenter. 

1875- 
Confession. 

Anthony L. Case, 
Samuel Kinney, 
Mrs. Mary Kinney, 
William H. Bellis, 
Frederick Bower, 
Margaret R. Boeman, 
Matilda Burk, 
Alletta Van Doren, 
George W. Nevius, 
Catherine Kuhl, 
Julia A. Van Doren, 
Mary Elizabeth Anderson, 
Mary E. Garretson, 
Lewis M. Davis, 
Kate Boughner. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Mary Ann Bradley, 
Matilda Clark, 
Mrs. Caroline Halloway, 
Mrs. Mary C. Thatcher, 
Mrs. Rachel K. Still, 
Mrs. Eliza Wilson, 
Mrs. Sarah Coon. 



1876. 

Confession. 

Ira S. Stryker, 
Mrs. Henrietta Kuhl, 
Alice N. Kinney, 
Sarah E. Gary, 
Anna Fink, 
Mary S. Rowland, 
Mrs. Mary Crater, 
Mrs. EJiza Pedrick, 
Lucinda Smith, 
Catharine Dears, 
Wm. H. Parse, 
William Boyd, 
Mrs. Mary Boyd, 
Charles A. Higgins, 
Albert C. Stevenson, 
Wm. H. Schenk, M.D., 
James J. Losey, 
Annie Van Fleet, 
Albert H. Rittenhouse, 
Carrie J. Combs, 
Sophia V. L. Kuhl, 
Hervey Kuhl, 
Mary A. Smith, 
John L. Jones, 
John L. Jones, Jr., 
Mrs. Catherine M. Sharp, 
Austin C. Bartles, 
Carrie V. Johnson, 
Emma Wilson, 
Mrs. Arabella Kuhl, 
Lewis Anderson, 
Caroline R. Hill, 
Jeremiah T. Thatcher, 
Anne E. Hunt, 
William M. Schenk, 



I20 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



Anne Schenk, 

Geo. Sandford Roberson. 

Certificate. 
Mrs. Mary Sutphin, 
Mary E, Shepherd, 
Mrs. Amy L. Stevenson, 
Mrs. Ann Stryker, 
Mrs, Caroline Spencer, 
Mrs. Laura Anderson, 
Martin L. Trimmer, 
Mrs. Henrietta Trimmer, 
Oliver Woodward, 
David K. Kline, 
Mrs. Sarah C. Kline, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Wortman, 
Mrs. Mary E. Wortman, 
Salina B. Wortman, 
James A. Kline, 
Jacob C. Sutphin, 
Mrs. Emeline Sutphin. 

1877. 
Confession. 

Abraham Sutphin Brewer, 
Carrie J. Wyman. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Emma Humphrey, 
Mrs. Maria Manning, 
Mary Ann Hunt, 
Mrs. Lydia Garrabrant, 
Mrs. Jane Vandoren, 
Mrs. Maria Stothoff, 
Mrs. Hester Wenzell. 

1878 
Confession. 
Mrs. Anna J. Clark, 



Joanna N. Little, 

John Piell, 

Mrs. Mary L. Piell, 

John A. Piell, 

Mrs. Sarah E. Piell, 

Louisa Piell, 

Mrs. Sabie E. Brewer. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Ella Spagenberg, 
Mary Louisa Bell, 
Tames Lane, 
Mrs. Susan H. Lane, 
Mrs. Mary E. Mattison, 
Jane E. Radcliff, 
John V. Quick, 
Mrs. Alletta Quick, 
Mrs. Garetta Honeyman, 
A. E. Sanderson, 
Mrs. A. Sanderson, 
Mrs. Anna R. Farley, 
Samuel Hart, 
Mrs. Mary E. Hart, 
John G. Watson, 
Charles J. Watson. 

1879. 
Confession. 

Ella Ramsey, 
Ezekiel Williams, 
Sallie D. Hoppock, 
Mary H. Sutphin, 
Elias S. Halloway, 
John A. Morehead, 

Certificate. 

Charles Burk, 
Mrs. Ann Williams, 
Charles Watson, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



121 



Mrs. Jane Watson, 
George Watson, 
Theodore B. Bellis, 
Mrs. Annie Reed Bellis, 
Annie D. Cherry, 
Abram Stone, 
Mrs. Keziah Price, 
Mrs. Mary E. Rittenhouse, 
Maggie W. Holcombe, 
Mrs. Anna E. Hudnut, 
Sophia Morehead, 
William H. Morehead. 

1880. 

Confession. 

Anna M. Sutphin, 
Mary R. Fink, 
Mary E. Wyhusky, 
Josephine Thudium, 
John Ruple, 
George Ruple, 
Edgar J. Sutphin, 
Margaret B. Dilts. 

Certificate. 
John Newton Voorhees, 
Mrs. Hannah L. Voorhees, 
George H. Large, 
David Caulkins, 
Mrs. E. R. Caulkins, 



Mrs. Ellen Hill, 
Belle Hill, 
N. Dunham Stiger, 
Mrs. Emily E. Stiger, 
Augustus K. Stiger. 

1881. 

Confession. 
Mortimer C. Wagner, 
Rebecca Drake, 
Etta Wenzell, 
Annie Wenzell, 
Joanna Schlapfer, 
Elizabeth Rupple. 

Certificate. 

Philip A. Mulford, 
Mrs. Cornelia Mulford, 
William Reed, 
Mrs. Catharine Reed, 
Mrs. Amanda Rowland. 

1882. 
Confession. 
Abraham Williamson Boss, 
Hervey C. Finch, 
William Harrison Bellis, 
Harold A. Vosseller, 
Edgar S. Sheppard, 
William E. Pedrick, 



: ^athaHne A.' van Nest FredericU N. Connet 



Mrs 

Arthur Schenck, 

Mrs. Catharine Schenck, 

Augustus B. Van Zandt, 

Mrs. Eleanor Van Zandt, 

Jacob R. Werts, 

Mrs. Margaret Werts, 

A C. Hulsizer, 



Alfred G. Burk, 
Mary E. Dunham, 
Helen E. Crater, 
Phebe L. Van Doren, 
Leonard K. Young, 
George E. Van Arsdale 
Annie E. Hudnut, 



122 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



Lillian Ramsey, 
Alice Schenk, 
Annie L. Veit, 
Abbie Van Doren, 
Margaret Chamberlin, 
Aaron B. Van Syckle 
John B. Ramsey, 
William Ramsey, 
Frank L. Holcombe, 
Isabel Jordy, 
Hannah N. Young, 
Annie Hopewell, 
Lizzie L. Van Liew, 
Annie M. Alpaugh, 
Lizzie B. West, 
Ruth De Hart, 
Minnie Stryker, 
Tillie F. Chamberlin, 
Mary E. Stiger, 
William Webster, 
George W. Dunham, 
Ella S. Higgins, 
Mary A. Sanderson, 
Peter J. Young, 
Caroline Wyhusky, 
Rosa Snyder, 
Annie C. Kline, 
Isabella Mott, 
Jonah O. Schlapfer, 
Mrs. Rachel J. Higgins. 

Certificate. 
Mary E. M. Kline, 
Mrs. Ellen A. Anderson, 
Johnson M. Bunn, 
Mrs. Annie Bunn, 
Mrs. Hannah Anderson, 
Mrs. A. H. Trego, 
Annette Trego, 



Paul A. Queen, 

Mrs. Lizzie M. Queen. 

1883. 

Co?ifesst07i. 
Wilson B. Moore, 
Mrs. Esther P. Moore, 
John P. Reed, 
Eliza Vogel, 
Eliza G. Griggs, 
Annie S. Risinger, 
Catharine Vogel, 
Rosa A. Vogel, 
John W. De Hart, 
Mary E. Wyckoff, 
Otto Reinold, 
Mary A. Boyd, 
Dudley F. Bunn, 
Sarah A. Risinger, 
Eliza A. Dilts, 
Mrs. Catharine A. Roth. 

Certificate. 

Theodore Bellis, 
Mrs. Ellen M. Bellis, 
Phineas Quinn, 
Mrs. Ida F. Quinn, 
James E. Brodhead, 
Mrs. Hattie Brodhead, 
Edwin E. Roth. 

1884. 

Confession. 

Lillie Harvey, 
Margaret Harvey, 
William Price, 
George M. Thornton, 
Mrs. Margaret La Rue, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



131 



Ella E. Boss, 

E. Wilson Bellis, 

Mary L. Bellis. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Mary W. Nevius, 

Andrew P. Thompson, 

Reading M. Dilts, 

Mrs. Caroline Dilts, 

Mrs. Ruth F. Sutphin, 

John Dilts, 

Mrs. Martha Dilts, 

Mrs. Cynthia Bearder, 

Martha M. Dilts, 

C. VV. Reed, 

Mrs. Mary Reed, 

A. J. Brodhead, 

Mrs. Ophelia Brodhead, 

Mrs. Sarah E. Harvey, 

Mrs. Mary C. Shampanore^ 

George Thatcher, 

Mrs. Lizzie Thatcher. 

1885. 
Confession. 

Mrs. Ella Marsh, 
William Stothoff, 
Cornelia Van Doren, 
Mrs. Ann E. Pickel, 
Maggie B. Ditmars, 
Lucretia M. West, 
Catherine Schlapfer, 
Minnie Schlapfer, 
Mrs. Carrie B. Hanson, 
Mattie W. Johnson, 
Cornelia Kuhl, 
Marietta Kuhl, 
George R. Probasco. 



Certificate. 

Jean S. Brodhead, 
Charlotte E. Brodhead, 
William W. Conover, 
Baltis Pickel, 
Mrs. Margaret H. Resch, 
Mrs. Sarah Johnson, 
Louisa Capner, 
Christiana Capner, 
Mrs. Helen M. Boss, 
John Ramsey, 
Francis M. Swing, 
Mrs. Emma R. Swing, 
Mary L. Wilson, 
Wilhelmina Stevenson, 
Mrs. Martha C. Shannon, 
Mrs. Eliza Wilson, 
Mrs. Annie S. Kline, 
Mrs. Eliza Post. 

1886. 
Confession. 

Rebecca E. Johnson, 
Elizabeth Johnson, 
Laura Quick, 
Peter sTReed. 

Certificate. 

Abram L. Smith, 
Mrs. Elmira C. Smith, 
Samuel W. Wyckoff, 
Mrs. Katie C. Wyckoff, 
Thomas B. Rodenbaugh, 
Mrs. Jennie Rodenbaugh, 
William F. Dilts, 
Mrs. Henrietta Priestley, 
Mrs. Abigail A. Marsh, 
Carrie G. Boyce, 



124 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



Richard McPherson, 
Mattie E. McPherson, 
Mrs. Mary B. Apgar, 
Mrs. Ellen P. Hill. 

1887. 

Confession. 

Henry Schenk, 
Bertha Girton, 
Eva W. Case, 
Helen A. Sanderson, 
Maggie E. Thatcher, 
Bessie H. Stiger, 
Fannie W. Johnson, 
Sadie L. Bellis, 
Mrs. Ida Moore, 
Jennie S. Smith, 
Bertha W. Vosseller, 
Bessie V. Vosseller, 
Frederick C. Dunham, 
John Letzkus, 
Jacob Schlapfer, 
Condit C. Schenk, 
Frederick C. Smith, 
Ida M. Bellis, 
Howard Holcomb, 
George F. Crater, 
Joseph L. Taylor, 
Conrad Schlapfer, 
Henry Schlapfer, 
Samuel Schlapfer, 
George Webster. 

Certificate. 

John Ott, 
Alice V. Sutphin, 
Mrs. Ethelinda Dilts, 
Mrs. Ella B. Tavlor, 



Paul K. Hoffman, 

Peter Britton, 

Mrs. Mary B. Britton, 

Mrs. Ann E. Strimple, 

Frederick Dirking, 

William L. Eick, 

Mrs. Mary H. Eick, 

John W. Kline, 

Mrs. Lanie T. Kline, 

Peter A. Crater, 

Mrs. Rebecca Crater, 

Mrs. Caroline P. Williamson, 

James N. Shafer, 

Mrs. Annie C. Shafer, 

Susan M. Lesher, 

Mrs. Martha A. Stothoft", 

Mrs. Kate Wanser Moore, 

William H. Bartles, M.D., 

Albert H. Rittenhouse, 

Mrs. Marv E. Rittenhouse. 

1888. 

Confession. 

William G. Hill, Jr., 
Mrs. Eugenia Gathers, 
Susie H. Van Liew, 
Mrs. Mary A. Smith, 
Clara L. Smith, 
William B. Bryan, 
Catharine R. Fink, 
Pauline Clark, 
Mrs. Flora L. Voorhees, 
Etta P. Risinger. 

Certificate. 

Mahlon Schenk, 

Harry Gathers, 

Mrs. Marv S. Everett, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY. 



125 



John Waiters, 

Mrs. Sarah Warters, 

Lucy E. Huff, 

Garrett V. Stryker, 

B. Frank Harris, 

Cornelius Wyckoff, 

Mrs. Mary Wyckoff, 

Ralph Reed, 

Mrs. Sarah Reed, 

Mahlon S. DeMott, 

Mrs. Ann W. DeMott, 

John Bunn, 

Mrs. Matilda Bunn, 

Stewart Bellis, 

Mrs. Susan Bellis, 

Mrs. Amanda S. Britton. 

1S89. 

Confession. 

Mrs. Minnie Kline, 
Earle T. Connet, 
Annie M. Fink, 
George W. Fink, 
Sarah Ellen Bellis, 
William W. Hawke, 
Mary W. Runkle, 
Lewis L. Holcombe, 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Hettie L. Crane, 
George Swackhamer, 
Mrs. Mary K. Swackham 
Mrs. Emily Bartles, 
Mrs. Harriet Hoffman, 
James Smith, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, 
Elizabeth Smith, 
Mary Smith, 



Martha Grace Smith, 
James Smith, Jr., 
William M. Schenk, 
Mrs. Emma C. Morehead. 

1890. 
Confession. 

Sadie Veit, 
John G. Sanderson, 
Estelle B. Kline, 
Laura B. Smith, 
Russell M. Conkling, 
Mrs. Mary Sinclair, 
Mrs. Matilda Van Fleet, 
Maggie M. Conover, 
Mrs. Catharine Bohren, 
Paul Kuhl, 
John W. Wilson, 
Theodore Larue, 
Frederick Baumgarten, 
Samuel J. Johnson, 
Mrs. Sarah W. Johnson. 
Certificate. 

Mrs. Catharine Coon, 
Eveline Conover, 
Henry R. Brewer. 

1891. 
Confession. 

Daniel McPherson, 
er, Mrs. Anna E. McPherson, 
Leila B. Volk, 
Nettie F. Conover, 
Bessie F. Conover, 
Matilda Belden, 
Mary E. Hart, 
Margaret B. Thatcher, 



26 



HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



Mary A. Hankinson, 
Annie H. Boss, 
Austin G. Nevius, 
Lizzie M. Crater, 
Catharine Ramsey, 
Mrs. Margaret J. Baum- 

garten, 
Eva R. McPherson, 
Anna Schlapfer, 
Frederick H. Piell, 
Christopher Piell, 
Theodore Piell. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Lena Miller, 

Mrs. Sarah M. Davenport, 

Minnie Davenport, 

Carrie Davenport, 

Edward N. Davenport, 

Joseph B. Johnson, 

Mrs. Clara B. Johnson, 

William L. Eick, 

Mrs. Mary A. Eick, 

Theodore M. Stiger, 

N. Dunham Stiger, 

Mrs. Elizabeth E. G. Stiger, 

Mary E. Stiger, 

Bessie H. Stiger, 

John H. Holcombe, 

Mrs. Hattie Holcombe, 

Mrs. Mary E. Lysatt. 

1892. 

Confession. 

William C. Raub, 
Lizzie B. Wenzell, 
William C. Boyd, 
John P. Bartles, 



Olive Bartles, 
Edith Bartles, 
William R. Butler, 
Albert B. Kline, 
Lewis C. Case, 
Chester V. Butler, 
Mrs. Kate P. Butler, 
Theodore C. Alvater, 
Bertha Bryan, 
Mrs. Lillian L. Chamberlin, 
Annie D. Worman, 
Rebie Worman, 
Sadie J. Britton, 
Margaret M. Boss, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, 
Mabel Brewer, 
Ann S. Clark, 
Bertha Webster, 
Elizabeth C. Bellis, 
Anna Blanche Lake, 
Harriet DeMott, 
Annie Moffett, 
Daniel T. Latourette, 
Mrs. Julia E. Latourette, 
Rachel M. Anderson, 
Mrs. Lizzie B. Probasco, 
John L. Zielstorf, 
Annie L. Zielstorf. 

Certificate 
Mrs. Georgie R. Crater, 
Julia F. Rockafellow, 
William N. Sheppard, 
Mrs. Jane V. Sheppard, 
Mrs. Henrietta P. Higbie, 
Mrs. Maria B. Schomp, 
George Williamson, 
Mrs. Frances H. Williamson, 
Mrs. Caroline V. D. Case, 



FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY 



127 



Catharine Case, 
John W. Smith, 
Mrs. Katie Smith, 
Mrs. Eugenie M. Scott, 
Mrs. Etta Van Arsdale. 

1893. 

Confession. 

Bessie Clavvson, 
Frederic Bohren, 
Henry B. Stothoff, 
Bessie R. Hopewell, 
Stella Girton, 
John Kaffitz, 

Mrs. Mary C. Van Doren, 
Mrs. Lilian M. Marsh, 
Howard S. Wyckoff. 

Certificate. 

Mrs. Ann M. Smith, 
Jonathan H, Conover, 



Mrs. Lilian A. Conover, 
John Emley Holcombe, 
Mrs. Emma A. S. Holcombe, 
Mrs. Lizzie Piell, 
Theodore Y. Van Marter, 
Mrs. Ann S. Van Marter, 
Augustus H. Van Marter, 
Mrs. Hannah Van Marter. 

1894. 

Confession. 

Mrs. Mary Alpaugh, 

Annie Boyd, 

John T. Conover, Jr. 

Certificate. 

Bessie Smith, 

John C. Ernst, 

H. Elmer Van Doren, 

Mrs. Matilda H. Van Doren, 

Mrs. Eliza Schenck. 



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